"Fenix?" Ginny waved her hand repeatedly ahead of the Fire Master’s face. The girl exchanged a look with Hermione and she resumed her seat. The senior girl was helping her to revise her Transfigurations but they were more or less distracted with the Fire Master’s strange behavior. Ginny whispered into Hermione’s ear for the fifth time that afternoon. "What’s wrong with her? She’s really freaking me out with the way she’s staring out of the window."

"I wish I knew," Hermione sighed, rubbing her fingers tiredly. "Anyway, let’s take a break."

Ginny lifted an eyebrow and stared at Fenix in surprise when the woman got out of her chair and headed out of the library quickly. And they did not miss the anguished look on her face.

"Is she in a tiff with Lupin or something?" Ginny asked the Gryffindor prefect uneasily.

"No, they aren’t. Whatever Fenix is experiencing, it’s more serious than a lover’s quarrel."

**********

Two sets of dark brown eyes watched the Dark Lord sleeping in exhaustion on their couch. All over their house, Voldemort’s followers slept for the first time ever since they had been on the run. The pair however, was careful not to trust the Dark Lord. The latter might not be truly asleep after all. The two Ancients in the room stared almost needily at the sleeping Voldemort and they wondered if they had chosen the right path that would lead them to their ultimate goal.

"Don’t say it," Damien whispered as he watched the Dark Lord’s chest moved up and then down.

We’re going to die anyway, Isaac thought to himself. Death is better than having to live with the abomination that we have tied ourselves into. His darker thoughts managed to push the lustful ones away.

Damien didn’t like what they had to do any better than his twin did. But it really was unfair that the Light have all the favors and he knew that the Phoenix wouldn’t want it to remain that way. That was why the two Ancients decided to ally themselves with the Dark Lord and let him hold the wild cards.

Isaac gave an unspoken signal to his twin. It was sick but they still had to do it. They kissed and they felt Voldemort’s eyes watching them with interest. They kissed because that was the only way for them to communicate with each other without being detected. They wished they had the Fire Master’s ability of mindspeech, but sadly, they had none.

What I don’t understand is, why didn’t she tell them about us? And that she wouldn’t be there to see the Duel? Isaac asked his twin.

It’s because she couldn’t. She knows what can happen if she tries to tamper with natural Time. It is meant to happen this way. It’s a safeguard too, because the green-eyed one and the Dragon have to overcome their enemies by themselves. They have to grow up or they’ll forever be depending on those they love for opinions. Damien hugged his brother tightly to fight off the waves of revulsion building inside him. He wanted to scream but he couldn’t. Dear Gods! We’re brothers!

I know, Damien. I know...

The other twin felt the tears welling inside his eyelids. Love between our kind is forbidden, Damien choked in his feeling of disgust. How did we end up like this? He wailed helplessly.

I don’t know. Isaac sighed into his brother’s mouth. Maybe it’s our retribution for our own unwillingness to have life cycles like the rest.

I can’t handle this much longer! Damien placed all his anger, frustration and self-loathing on that one particular thought.

Please... You’ve got to hang on just a little longer. It will be over soon. His brother said reassuringly.

But Fenix would feel guilty after that... Could she handle that? Damien shivered and couldn’t help feeling the despair that was slowly consuming his heart.

She’s a strong woman and in time she would understand why we had done it. Just look at how she reacted when Luis visited her. Her dead lover had told her that she would have to fight off her own kind. She was horrified by the very possibility. We can’t deny her from being what she truly is. Isaac bit down at Damien’s lower lip and his twin whimpered.

What if we’re too strong for her?

So? That doesn’t mean we have to hold back our strength. Have faith in her, Damien. She’s old and she’s a damn fine warrior to boot. And like all warriors, they have their own egos to maintain. She would not think about letting us get away. No, not after the threat we had made on destroying the world. Isaac grinned despite the darkness that had started making a home in their hearts. Voldemort relaxed as he watched the two.

But is the threat true in any way? That our kind might disappear if she starts having children? Damien felt the small flicker of happiness that had risen at the thoughts that the Fire Master was at last, settling down.

Isaac gave a small chuckle. Of course not! And the rest knows it but it’s queer that she does not. I’m having suspicions that He had a hand in that. He answered his twin.

Makes sense, Damien agreed then tightened his grip on his twin when he felt Voldemort’s feet touched the cold, black marble floor. But I really hope she’ll be able to finish us and that she is still as skillful as a true Slytherin. He felt a headache starting to build in his head.

We just have to cross our fingers. All we have to do now is wait until the green-eyed one is ready to end the war, Isaac said to his brother in determination. He flinched as he felt Voldemort’s cold fingers traced his backbone. He sent one last thought to his brother before he submitted himself to the Dark Lord. We’ve come all the way here to make our future a permanent one, and we can’t afford to die by the hand of this one or we’re back to where we had started.

Damien sent his agreement and broke off from his brother’s embrace. Isaac hated it. He hated how he was letting Voldemort drain his power of Destruction away from him willingly. Fenix, I hope you will prove to us that you are a true-born warrior. I want you to fight us as hard as you can to send us out to Death. Yes, I think we are making the right choices. We’re doing her a favor. It would really leave a sour taste in her mouth if Voldemort had been beaten far too easily. Now that I think about it, we can’t afford to have Voldemort sucking our power on the day of the Duel or she’ll be insulted. I guess I’ll worry about that later.

Damien gave a typical Slytherin-like sneer (that was faked) and Voldemort echoed it. This might be the first time in the history of the wizarding world that a Slytherin had willingly let a Gryffindor truly influence her. A Slytherin, who truly honors truth and justice above all else. Damien felt his world grew hazy around him as the Dark Lord began to harvest his power of Creation. The touch of Voldemort’s palm on his naked chest thrilled him to the point that he hated himself for enjoying that simple touch.

**********

They were quiet as they ate their dinner. Even Ginny felt it was totally useless to fill the silence with small talk. Fenix had not come down to dinner. They had found out that she was not with the wolves or any of the elves. She had shielded her mind tightly so that it ruled out the possibility of contacting her via mindspeech. However, there was one thing they could say. Fenix wasn’t distraught because of them.

**********

Fenix was in a magical wood where she used to have long, extended discussion with the Sun God but since He was still occupied with the Council, she used the place for her own purpose. She began her brooding.

I don’t bloody well understand what the two meant by going over to Voldemort. Did they tell him about our peculiarities? Gods, I certainly hope not. She leaned back against the broad oak trunk and concentrated on her thoughts. One thing I had noticed during our brief meeting, they were weakened by something but what? One thought flashed in her mind repeatedly in her mind and she felt her insides turn cold. They’re letting Voldemort drain them? Are they nuts? And yes, why did the rest of the Ancients act as if they didn’t care of me getting pregnant, as that would certainly confirm that they would be extinct in the next few years or so?

Fenix gave a frustrated sigh. Fighting off my species. Damn, that’s a horrible thought. The twins have Harry’s powers but they’re not quite the sacred Gift. But even separate, their powers are still powerful and what if... What if they manage to do me in?

She cursed softly as images flashed through her mind and it made her heart ache when she thought of a broken werewolf. Sirius... His charming, deep blue eyes winked at her and her eyes stung painfully. No, I guess not. I can’t deprive Harry of his godfather. He is rather quiet about the issue of me getting pregnant and the extinction. So the threat the twins gave me could be possibly untrue, such as that prediction that Trelawney made. In that case I will prove my determination of being a married woman. I haven’t had the chance to taste motherhood and I am absolutely not going to let that chance go. So I will be there Damien, Isaac... When it’s time.

**********

Montague was trying not to panic but it was extremely difficult not to do so. There was no doubt about it. His revered gang leader, Draco, was missing.

**********

The Slytherin was calmly walking through the gates that screened off the Malfoy property from everything else. It was quiet. Deathly quiet. Not even the crickets chirped. There were no bats flying around the house.

Draco calmly walked up the steps. He was not sure of what to make out of a note that had been sent to him by an owl two nights ago. He didn’t know what to think, because at the back of the small, dark brown envelope, was his father’s own signet. His father had written only a few words on a small piece of white paper. And I wonder if he had to make the envelope himself.

He placed his hand over the lock that secured the front door of the house and it was released with a loud snap and Draco winced. The door opened slowly and he paused at the threshold. The house was dark and his nose twitched uncomfortably. Where are all the house-elves? Or my mother for that matter? Huh, she probably joined up with Father. But I seriously hope she isn’t here. The very sight of her curdles my blood. His movement made the pile of dust swirled up into a cloud and he suppressed his sneeze.

He had sneaked out of Hogwarts right after dinner, saying to Montague he had to go to the library. But Draco hadn’t. Instead, he had run quickly to a corridor that pointed him to the direction of the Forest. He had made sure that the elves, his oathbrother or Fenix wouldn’t be able to feel the disturbance of magical energies by transforming himself near a group of house-elves that were keen on spring-cleaning the castle. The Dragon took flight and he flew in the direction to a place that he had called home.

And now he was there. Where is he? The back of his neck prickled and with a wave of his hand, the door swung close. His eyes watered and he sneezed. Irritating pile of dust! He thought in irritation. ‘You really are a smart kid. Gone off by yourself to see a man who is just likely to kill you’, his small voice nagged constantly. And so is he likely to get killed by me, Draco thought back testily as he looked for signs of human activity. ‘Patricide?’ the voice said skeptically. Shut up! His eyes watered at the possibility. He went up the staircase that would ultimately lead to his bedroom, the master bedroom, the study, and his father’s office. And that’s probably where he is waiting for me.

There was no doubt about it. He missed his spoilt upbringing. He stared yearningly at his bedroom door but walked stealthily toward the office. He noticed that door was slightly ajar. With a soft command, the door opened wider and he scrutinized the interior of the office. Dust lay thick everywhere and he noted that there were no footprints except his own.

A bloody trap? He frowned and tightened his shields when he heard a hollow laugh. He finally noticed the man standing by the window. A man with extremely, pale blond hair that was the verge of being silver.

"You have changed greatly," Lucius Malfoy said slowly. "And I am pleased enough that you are doing well in your academics."

Draco maintained his silence although he had moved closer to his father.

"What? No respectful greetings from you?" Lucius turned his remaining eye to face him and smiled faintly when he saw his son’s impassive face. He continued to sip his wine slowly.

"Why did you want to see me?" Draco asked abruptly into the silence.

"Malfoys don’t need a reason to do anything," Lucius stated in a sardonic voice.

"I see. So there was really no reason at all to my disownment," Draco answered in a flat tone and for a moment, Lucius saw the great disappointment in Draco’s pair of silver eyes.

"Exactly," Lucius smiled again and moved in closer to the young man. My son. The pride of my clan. Lucius’s hand reached out to cup Draco’s chin and he stared at the silver eyes intently. "Perfect, crystal clear silver. How curious." Abruptly, Lucius moved over to his store of precious wine and poured Draco a glass. "I assume that the Fire Master is in good health?" he asked Draco in a civil tone.

"Yes, no thanks to you," Draco answered curtly. He watched his father carefully as Lucius returned to his side and offered him the glass of wine. Draco accepted it without hesitation. His father had poured him the wine that Draco personally liked and he winced when his father had shown him that Lucius had been perfectly aware what his son had been up to ever since he hadn’t lavished the house with his presence. "So Narcissa did keep in touch with you."

Lucius smiled thinly at his son’s words. He could not blame his son for that. More than once ever since Lucius had married the harridan, he had forgotten all forms of endearment and called her by her first name, and others that went unspoken. They had a rather loveless marriage. Oh yes, he had been lustful for his wife but that’s it. Pure, uncomplicated lust. He had wanted an heir and she wanted a name. Both got what they had always wanted, but he was afraid that he would lose the priceless one. The Fire Master had been a good mother to him.

Draco watched his father’s cynical smile and wondered what his father was thinking. He let the wine fill his mouth and shivered as he tasted the bitterness and slowly let it down into his gullet. Not to fast Drake. You haven’t been drinking anything stronger than Butterbeer for the past couple of months. He cautioned himself. As the room fell into comfortable silence, Draco sipped on his wine and examined his father. He looks healthy. Neat and charming. But he does look a little thin and he’s paler than usual. Or is it just my eyes?

Draco finally couldn’t stand the silence and asked his father in a weary voice. "Why did you even have a family even when you know that Vol–" His question was rapidly cut off as his father lunged at him. Both their glasses shattered as they hit the floor, the remaining wine quickly seeping through the thick carpet. Draco choked as his father’s hand closed in on his throat.

"Don’t... you ever! Don’t you ever speak his name!" Lucius hissed and Draco stared at his father in detached amazement. He had never seen his father shown that kind of expression on his pale face. Lucius was absolutely terrified. The tightness on his throat lessened but his father did not release him.

"Dragon’s teeth! Why on earth did you ask me to come here, old man?" Draco stared into his father’s fiercely, as if by just looking at his father, he could get all the answers from the wizard. "What is it that you expect to gain by sticking with him?" Draco continued his questioning. "Answer me!"

Lucius opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. The haunted look in his son’s eyes made him fear about more than his Master knowing that his servant had sneaked out to arrange a secret meeting with his son, without authorization. "Run away, Draco. Don’t be with them when the time comes," Lucius said in a deathly cold voice.

"Run?" Draco asked incredulously. "You’re asking me to run? That’s a damn Slytherin-like thing to do, isn’t it?" the Slytherin spat and his father’s hand tightened around his throat once more. "He got it all wrong, you know. Snape managed to get it right. Even before Fenix showed him the truth." Draco’s eyesight blurred, both from the effects of strangulation and alcohol.

"What?" Lucius asked, feeling slightly confused by his son’s words.

"Slytherins... We’re not supposed to help..." Draco struggled against his father’s grip and he turned into a black fiery-like substance and reappeared several feet away from his father. Lucius was staring at him in mingled surprise and horror. "You knew what I am, didn’t you? You named me Draco for that purpose," he said coldly, managing to conceal his drunkenness from his father. "Snape got one thing right. Slytherins aren’t meant to be followers. We’re solitary and free to follow our own hearts."

**********

Snape’s face paled, then turned red and paled again. Montague stood nervously before Draco’s godfather. Angrily, the Potions Master swept away from his off and headed off to a particular area. First, it is Fenix who had disappeared without even a notice and now this spoilt brat, Snape fumed. There was only one thing he wanted to do badly at that moment. He needed to get his hands around the neck of a particular green-eyed chap, if he was not missing like his Slytherin counterpart.

**********

Draco’s words echoed in Lucius’s mind over and over again. His son was speaking to him. "Tell me Father," Draco approached him in a menacing gait. "What can he give you? Power? You are powerful so why do you need more? What do you want from him?"

Lucius remained mute. For the first time in his life, he saw his son staring at him not as an inferior to his provider, but rather like an equal. And Lucius was torn between pride and vexation at his son’s attitude. He hadn’t noticed how much his son had grew and the strength that was in the lean frame until Draco started shaking his shoulders.

"What’s so good about him that you have to worship and kneel before him?" Draco choked on his words and Lucius saw his fair son began to cry angry tears. "Damn you, Father," Draco whispered as he rested his forehead on his father’s left shoulder. The Slytherin seemed to have forgotten the anger that he had harbored for his father. "Why?" Lucius heard his son’s faint whisper that was muffled by his shoulder. "Why did you disown me? Why do you want to tear my life apart?"

Cold tears began to penetrate his black cloak as Draco cried onto his shoulder. Lucius trembled, then his strong arms held onto his son when the boy’s knees gave way, and they both sank to the floor.

"I miss you, Father," Draco whimpered. "I miss the way you sound all witty when you thought I needed discipline. I miss the time in which we had did the house accounts together during the summer holidays. I miss those times when you had bribed me to get Mother out of your ears."

Lucius said nothing but he held his son tighter and tried to keep his dignity but it was hard to do so. He blinked his eye furiously. Although Lucius thought that he did not deserve it, but his son cared for him and it helped to ease the turmoil in his heart. "You’re your own man now, Draco. Nothing in the world can influence you to do things which you don’t want to. Walk the path that you had chosen for yourself with confidence," Lucius said hoarsely, wishing that he had not been a Death Eater. He had wished he had been a normal wizard who had taken great pride on raising his children. But his ambitions that were abnormal had crashed his dreams decades ago. Lucius was glad that he had kept his son totally in the dark when it comes to issues of his Master.

"Father you can leave with me. You don’t have to stay with him," Draco looked at him fiercely. His eyes turned hopeful when he saw his father contemplating the offer.

Lucius was uncertain. But running away won’t help. It didn’t help Karkaroff all that much, a voice spoke up. So Lucius shook his head stubbornly and Draco began to look more desperate. His Dark Mark started to burn and he gasped in pain. He’s discovered me, a fleeting thought passed in his mind. Draco stared at him when Lucius helped him up roughly to his feet.

"You’ve got to leave!"

Draco stared at his father, incomprehension showing on his face. He did not move. "But..."

"Just do it!" Lucius snapped but his son remained still. "Dear Lord! Listen to me!" He shook Draco to get his son to think. "Whatever you do, don’t get caught by him! Swear it to me! It doesn’t matter to him that you’re my son! He sees you just as a great source of power and he will drain you if he has you in his clutches!"

Draco’s silver eyes flickered with dark emerald fire and the room steadily grew warm. "You know that Snape can never replace you."

Lucius’s sharp facial features softened. "Stay safe, Draco."

The Slytherin gave his father one last hug and stared at Lucius for a long time before he whispered. "At least I know you care about me but I don’t think I can stop missing you." And then, Draco was gone, turning into a black sheet of fire and slid out of the window.

The Death Eater waited patiently for the Dark Lord to appear. His arm burned but he ignored it. Instead, he went over to the cabinet and looked for the strongest whisky he had in possession. He uncorked the bottle and took a huge gulp. It burned his throat and he coughed. It will be wiser if I get myself drunk before he arrives but I wonder... I guess he has no choice but to finally kill me...

Minutes passed and he finally felt a strange tingle across his arms. Ahhh... He’s finally here. Lucius smirked, feeling glad at his success of getting drunk in a short time.

"Lucius, Lucius, luscious Lucius," someone clucked in faint disapproval. Lucius swayed and turned to the source of the voice. Voldemort was gazing steadily at him. "You’re drinking without me Lucius?"

Lucius stared at his Master and grinned. "Why don’t you get over here and start drinking Master?" he slurred and winced when he heard his own casualness. Then again, he is drunk and maybe his Master would let that pass. Or maybe not.

Voldemort smiled slightly then frowned when his foot crunched on several pieces of shattered glass. He noted that there had been two wineglasses. And who, I wonder, had been drinking with my dear servant? Voldemort thought distractedly.

Lucius did not care that the Dark Lord had noticed that the wine stain on the carpet was fresh. He was too busy in selecting a bottle for his Master.

"Let’s go to somewhere more comfortable and ah... less irritating to the nose," Voldemort said sweetly as he bent over to pick up a sharp glass fragment and he hid it in his pocket.

Lucius’s stomach revolted at the suggestion but the Death Eater was beyond the point of rational thinking. He groped for a second glass and managed to get himself through the door and led the Master to the bedroom. Lucius sighed with relief when the room appeared to be free of dust and vermin. The Death Eater lazily kicked off his shoes.

**********

He is a strange person when he is drunk, Voldemort thought with amusement and he finally understood why Lucius had seldom drank more than what was good for him. I have the feeling that tonight will be an entertaining one for me... Lucius had discarded his cloak carelessly to the floor and Voldemort picked it up and started sniffing. Lucius was unalarmed by his Master’s peculiar gesture. His Master scowled when he picked up the salty scent of tears. And who had been crying on your shoulder?

Voldemort circled the damp area with his fingers several times and was satisfied when images flashed into his mind. He still had not reached his maximum wizard strength but he was certainly capable of lighting up than just a small candle. Short black hair appeared in his vision but the top half was pale blond. Voldemort wondered who it belonged to. Then he saw a pair of silver eyes. The Fire Master? The Dark Lord frowned. Then he saw the fire in the eyes and he knew them only too well. Have you been slandering me behind my back, Lucius?

Voldemort snapped out of his thoughts when Lucius handed him a glass. He watched his servant slowly crept onto the bed and was directly drinking wine from the bottle.

**********

Lucius was perfectly aware that he was on his own bed and somehow, his Master had removed his shirt from his body. When did he do that? Lucius felt his Master’s cold hand on his chest and he stared at it. Why must it always be cold? His Master inched closer to him. Lucius felt extremely feverish and disgusted at the same time, but his Master knew him and his weaknesses.

"You’ve been playing when I’m not looking," Voldemort whispered into his ear. "I am very displeased with you."

Lucius certainly did not register his Master’s first sentence; he was too preoccupied with the unmoving hand on his chest. But he heard the second sentence and he sulked, snorting his disdain. If he had been sober, he would have been galled by his own actions. "You’ve never been pleased with me."

Lucius heard his Master laughed sweetly at his remark and felt something sharp poking on his chest. Glass? Lucius thought hazily. He raised an eyebrow at his Master. That explains the coldness, and I see that the torture is just about to begin. Lucius watched Voldemort maneuvered around so he could lie down on Lucius’s chest. And he hadn’t drunk his wine. How rude... Lucius flushed when he felt his Master’s free hand trail lightly on his upper body and stopped slightly above his navel. Lucius saw his Master’s devilish smile.

The glass cut deeper into his skin and red haziness began to fill his vision. "But I think you would be able to please me tonight," his Master said in a hushed voice.

**********

"I told you sir! He hadn’t told me anything about a night-trip!" Harry’s angry shout made Sirius quicken his steps and was shocked to find that Snape was attempting to strangle his godson.

"Severus! What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" Sirius thundered, scowling so furiously that to Hermione, he resembled quite like an enraged bull and was about to charge on his target.

The Potions Master let go of Harry’s collar and the Gryffindor staggered backwards and landed on his best friend. The two godfathers stared at each other angrily.

**********

I thought He had mentioned that I’m quite alone in this place, Fenix frowned to herself and sought for the source of depression. I haven’t even dealt with mine! Then she stopped when she felt something familiar. Her own trace of magic was emanating out from a boy’s upper arm. I am going to be strangled by Sev tonight, she thought in resignation as she approached Draco. I see that he remembers this place well enough to come to it on his own. I wonder if this is his first time coming here. Now, why is he crying? Damnation! Is Harry in trouble again? Alarm rose in her but it quickly died after she probed the boy further. Draco wasn’t distressed about anything relating to his oathbrother.

The Slytherin stared wildly around him and looked at Fenix without any signs of recognition. She slowly knelt beside him, her eyes not leaving his dark, depressed silver ones. He suddenly flung himself at her and sobbed uncontrollably. She sat into a more comfortable position and began soothing the boy, but was distracted when he overwhelmed her mind by hundreds of impressions.

: He loves Voldemort! : Draco kept screaming in her mind. : My father’s in love with him! :

What in hell? She stared at the top of his head and the truth finally hit her. : Dear Gods Drake! What have you been up to?! Where did you go?! :

: My father... I went to our house to see him, : Draco answered tiredly. : And Fenix, I saw what Voldemort did to my father... :

**********

Fenix tucked the blankets about the sleeping Draco then signaled to her partner to follow her. She extinguished the candles in her room and left her office to see her oathbrother. Through their oathbond, she had felt Sirius’s rage and the bond that were present between her and Snape told her that the Potions Master was fantasizing about several torturous devices to experiment on the Black.

"Stop it." Her quiet voice stopped the two wizards before they managed to decorate the corridor with blood.

"And where the hell had you disappeared to?!"

Fenix was surprised that it was Snape who had asked the question but felt relieved when she saw Sirius glower at the Potions Master.

"Drake’s missing," Harry informed her, although he was staring fearlessly at Snape who stared back angrily at the Gryffindor.

"I know. I was with him," Fenix answered and then turned back to walk in the direction from which she had came from.

"And what do you mean by walking off without giving me an explanation?" Snape growled and grabbed her arm to turn her around.

Fenix stared at his hand. "Let go of my arm, Sev," she said softly. All about them, students stared at her.

: Severus, I’ve just made myself a new friend and I don’t think I care to lose you to my mate now. : Snape heard the werewolf’s mindvoice spoke softly into his mind. Snape released his hold on her arm slowly and Fenix went on her way without another word.

"I need a goddamn bloody drink," Sirius growled and stormed off. "Who’s coming with me?" He didn’t turn to look behind him.

Harry was about to follow them when he was stopped by Hermione’s grumpy look. He sighed and patiently reassured her that he was not about to pick on an alcoholic habit and he swiftly joined Remus as they headed onwards to Sirius’s quarters.

**********

Sirius felt hurt that Fenix had informed Remus first and not him. Snape was massaging his forehead and Harry was looking slightly green in the face.

"I didn’t know about their... relationship," Snape said in a small voice, which sounded rather peculiar and Harry wondered if he was referring to Lucius’s relationship with Draco or Lucius’s relationship with Voldemort.

: It’s the second one, : Fenix pointed out helpfully.

Harry couldn’t quite hide his anger from her and the Fire Master let him rave. It was quite some time before Harry felt satisfied with his lecture. In a much calmer tone, Harry said, : What’s bothering you? : Harry felt her sigh.

: I’ve been bothered by the same thing this past week or so. I had received a message from someone who had been dead for eight years plus and I happened not to like it, : she answered. : But it absolutely had nothing to do with you or the war of Voldemort. :

: Are you sure? : Harry couldn’t help but be suspicious.

: Yes, Harry. I’m sorry for making you guys worry. :

There was a knock on Sirius’s door and the Black waved his wand lazily to open it. It was Fenix and she paled when she saw that they had been drinking.

"Come here, and kneel down and start apologizing!" Sirius growled, looking at her angrily and frowned at Remus who had spluttered on his drink.

"Oathsib, that wasn’t funny. That was absolutely not funny at all," Fenix answered flatly and Sirius frowned at her, not quite understanding her comments.

"Please excuse me," Snape said and Harry watched the Potions Master quizzically as Snape bolted for the bathroom. Seconds later, they heard the sound of retching and Harry paled even more.

: I think I’m going to be sick too, : Harry commented and slowly went into the bathroom and he joined Snape. That made Sirius realize that he was reenacting a particular scene and he swore pungently.

"Sirius," Snape gasped, as he leaned against the bathroom door, wincing as he listened to the noises coming from the bathroom. "Make them disappear right now," he pleaded hoarsely, not quite looking at their glasses and the lone bottle of whisky. For the first time, Sirius was in total agreement with the Potions Master about something.

**********

Lucius woke up with painful itches from all over his body and his head was pounding terribly. He opened his eyes blearily and was thankful that the room was still dark. But then, he was confused by a dark shape on his chest and suppressed a moan when he realized it was his Master’s head. Lucius flushed darkly with shame and disgust. I’m still alive? I should have got drunker than this... Lucius gulped and willed himself to sleep once more.

Voldemort smiled with satisfaction as he felt his servant’s uneasiness. I’m afraid I can’t lose my plaything that easily... Voldemort trailed the sharp edge of the broken glass over his servant’s left hip and carelessly threw the fragment away. Lucius suppressed his groan, still refusing to entertain his Master by waking up completely. Lucius realized he was crying when his Master started to whisper in his ear.

**********

The stadium was buzzing with murmurs, squeals, and shouts of excitement. While the house-elves, some of the elves, Kingsley and Charley kept an eye on the castle, the others were there at the pitch to witness yet another Quidditch match. Most of the staff had taken seats everywhere in the stadium, Fenix excluded. She was on the broomstick, keeping an eye for any kind of troubles.

    Just four weeks ago, Slytherin had managed to kick the Hufflepuffs off the semifinals after sixty-seven minutes of physical abuse, couple of sabotages (You sure as hell can’t stop a Slytherin from acting like a Slytherin) and reckless flying in determination to get their hands on the Quidditch cup after five years of failing to gain it. Hufflepuff had seen better days, but due to the loss of skilled Quidditch players, they had lost the match with the Slytherins ahead of them by twenty-eight points. It was really a matter of theoretical discussion if the Hufflepuffs were lacking in skills or the Slytherins, after having their training sessions with their rival, had finally managed to polish their skills Judging by the particular feints and heart-stopping dives of a particular silver-eyed, blond-haired Seeker, Hermione found the second theory was much more substantial to the first.

    Lee’s loud booming voice rang clearly throughout the stadium and the audience let out a cacophonous roar of welcome. "ALL RIGHT PEOPLE!"the commentator’s voice was absolutely too magnetizing that it was impossible not to pay attention to him, now that he was in his element. "This is what we have been waiting for!" Lee’s charismatic voice boomed. "The final Quidditch match that I’ll witness in Hogwarts for the last time!"

    Fenix made a rather loud remark on that. She leaned fully on her Ice Dagger and stared at her wand for a moment before she spoke into it. "Provided that you’re able to maintain your good grades for NEWTs and graduate with flying colors, dear lad, else we’ll be seeing you again next term!"

    "Fenix! Get off the mike!" Lee protested loudly. Fenix smirked roguishly at him and she tucked her wand back to its hiding place.

    The Fire Master backed away from the indignant Lee, watching the Gryffindor with amusement. She had positioned herself near the commentator’s stand. She had told no one but Harry that she was absolutely amazed by his commentating skills. Her eyes dropped to the sandy pitch, watching the forms of the referee and the two Quidditch captains. They waited, filled to their cores with excitement for the referee to blow that silver whistle of hers. The crowd teetered dangerously on the brink of anticipation.

    It came as a surprise to Fenix and Hermione that when it all came down to Quidditch, superior egos refused to be deflated and no one was willing to bet over a Knut whether Harry and Draco are still oathbrothers. The two had already taken up to the air, and were engaging in a stare-fume-scowl-blasphemy contest to past the time. Fenix chuckled at their open animosity.

    "What is it about Quidditch that you really have to wallow in violence?" she asked the crowd with a smile on her lips and laughter echoed all about the stadium.

    "FENIX!!! If you want to take my place that badly, please say so!" Lee waved his wand dangerously and she backed away, laughing heartily.

    A whistle from the ground captured their attention and they held their breaths. Hermione leaned over the railings. Behind her, her schoolmates were cheering loudly and she couldn’t help but cheer too.

    It was noisy. VERY NOISY. The audience watched excitedly as the Bludgers flew around the pitch with targets to bludgeon. Yowls emerged from the audience as a Bludger was sent flying to hit Warrington by Dean, who was unaware that the Slytherin was directly in the path of the Bludger. The evidence of the uneasy truce between the two Houses seemed to evaporate and the Gryffindors were getting really aggressive toward their opponents as minutes trickled by slowly.

    "WHOOPS! Oh you gotta watch your back Ginny! That was a close shave by Montague! Okay, Ginny’s got the Quaffle and... Here comes Spinnet on that broomstick! Oh you make my heart fly, love! And yes! Ginny’s passed it to her!" Lee broke off and he stared at the Slytherin Chasers following the Gryffindor Captain feverishly.

    "And here comes Montague again! Bloody hell! His speed is truly amazing!" Lee looked at the Slytherin, impressed. "Watch out for the Bludger, Greenie! Yow! Dodge it love!"

    Exclamations of relief rippled through the ranks of the students when both captains managed to evade the ball. Alicia was still holding on to the Quaffle and was looking for a familiar redhead. The younger Chaser was half-hidden by the bulky form of Crabbe and the captain dared to send the Quaffle over his head and sighed with relief when she saw Ginny’s evil grin. The curses coming from the ranks of Slytherins were turning more ominous.

    "Ginny’s got it again and YOU GO GIRL!" Lee shouted triumphantly as his eyes saw the Quaffle going through the loop in one graceful arch. "First point goes to the Gryffindors!"

**********

    Harry was feeling slightly nervous as he watched the rest of his teammates from a great height. Is Drake going to cheat?

    : Of course not! Fenix will give me a trashing if I do! : his oathbrother said indignantly.

    Harry grinned then his face turned serious when he saw the same familiar flicker of golden right behind the Gryffindor goalpost and as usual, his instincts drove him to speed for the ball. His sudden movement caught his oathbrother by surprise and Harry distantly heard his oathbrother’s curses as Draco struggled to catch up with him. Harry couldn’t help chuckling as Draco railed about the Gryffindor’s luck.

    Harry’s crimson robes were plastered to his body as he flew against the wind at a great speed. He sensed the Bludgers but left Seamus to deal with it. He wondered why Draco was trailing hotly after him. You would have thought that after four years of being a Seeker, he would have noticed what the Snitch is doing right now is nothing but a feint.

    The Snitch disappeared as it went behind a pillar and Harry calmly rose in the air and resumed his silent scrutiny. Draco was fuming and he did not bother concealing it from his oathbrother. Harry sent him an annoying thought to his oathbrother who cursed him in return. It was as if the Seekers were separated from the rest of their members and were playing their own game in their own pitch.

    Got you! Draco thought him with satisfaction and flew straight for his oathbrother. The Slytherin gave a maniacal grin when Harry’s emerald eyes flared when he realized that Draco was going to crash into him if he did not get out of the way. Harry placed all his trust on his broom and willed his Firebolt to lose altitude quickly and Harry felt his stomach lurch at the sudden drop. He quickly rolled away to the side, evading Draco’s outstretched hand. While Harry was frantically trying to think of a reason why his oathbrother was attempting to grab hold of his raven hair, a metal-like object was clinging at his long hair.

**********

    "It’s the fiftieth minute and still the Seekers are on the hunt for our devilish, little Snitch! Back to the scoreboard then!" Lee yelled to the audience and he scanned the board quickly. "The Slytherins are eighteen points behind the Gryffindors!" Lee informed the crowd.

    There was no doubt about it. The audience was very restless and those in Gryffindors were more than just worried. Thoughts such as, ‘Will Harry catch the Snitch?’, ‘What if Draco catches it first?’ and ‘I certainly won’t be able to stand the shame if we lose the Cup!’ were running furiously in their minds.

    Lee’s sudden exclamation startled everyone. "What on earth is the silver-eyed Seeker playin’ at?!" Lee exclaimed as his eyes took in the forms of the Seekers. It was Draco’s twenty-eight attempt (if Hermione had counted accurately) at grappling his rival Seeker in mid-flight.

    The audience heard Harry’s clear, furious shout. "There’s no way I’d let you have it!" Harry propelled himself backwards, pushing the Slytherin Seeker away from him and the audience heard Draco raved.

    "THEY MUST HAVE SEEN THE SNITCH!" Lee crowed out excitedly. "But wait! Here we go again! Draco’s coming for him!" Lee frowned. "And what is Potter trying to do now?" His comment sparked off more curiosity.

    Sirius watched the Seekers grapple with each other through the lens of the omnioculars and commented absently to the Potions Master. "I think I’m going to give your godson a few days of detention once this match is over."

    Snape snorted and he watched the scene in complete serenity, severe black robes billowing about his legs in the strong wind. Remus suddenly started swearing and it startled the living daylight out of his two companions. The werewolf laughed then repeated his swearing.

    "Moony." Sirius flushed with embarrassment when he felt the eyes belonging to dozens of students on him, Snape and the werewolf. "Stop acting like a goddamn madman."

    "Harry’s got the Snitch all right!" Remus responded in between laughs and Snape swore, hating himself for not resisting Black’s bet. By the end of this term, the Potions Master would have a hundred Galleons lesser in his vault. However, it was the unknown bet he had agreed with the werewolf that unnerved him a little. Why must they have all the fun? Snape asked himself sourly.

    The three watched Harry attempting a feat that was totally unadvisable when riding up on a broom and the ground is seventy meters below you. Harry was working both arms furiously behind his back and shivered when he finally felt the Snitch fluttering along his backbone. Just a bit more!

    Harry yelled with glee when he managed to get the Snitch out of his robes and firmly grasped the metallic ball in his palm. He distantly heard Madam Hooch’s whistle, and he saw his oathbrother heading toward a nearest pole. The Slytherin started banging his head and Fenix quickly rushed off to prevent the boy from getting more agitated. Bloody hell... Draco isn’t going to forgive me. What an uncomfortable inconvenience, Harry thought absently as Ron gave him a tight hug as they spiraled downwards and Ginny was kissing Dean furiously in her glee.

**********

    Sirius rubbed his hands together and tried to hide his triumph from Snape as the latter handed him a small envelope containing a document that will allow the bankers to transfer one hundred Galleons over to Sirius’s vault.

    Snape then turned to the werewolf who was looking solemnly at him. Snape took a deep breath. : All right. What’s my forfeit? : the Potions Master asked in a resigned tone.

    : You’re going to take another summer holiday, : Remus replied shortly, his face looking strangely blank. : But it’s up to you if you want to. : Then without warning, the werewolf turned and disappeared among the crowd of wildly cheering students.

    Sirius carefully pocketed the envelope in his robes and feigned a gleeful expression. He prodded the Potions Master to move. Sirius was puzzled about the odd forfeit. What baffled him more was that the conversation between Snape and his friend was meant to be private but he had no idea why he had heard them clearly.

    Bloody hell, Moony. Why do I feel that you’re hiding something from us? Sirius thought grimly as he cheered at the Gryffindor’s success.

**********

    Harry felt that he was weighed down by a heavy load of depression as he dreamed. He felt strange since he was suffering a nightmare that he had almost forgotten ever since Fenix had been introduced into his life. It was unsettling. Harry watched himself in the night when he was paralyzed by Voldemort, wand flickering and then Cedric’s body.

    Harry knew he was tossing and mumbling in his sleep as he heard Ron muttering several curses at his direction for being noisy. Harry was more than expecting his best friend to wake him up but minutes continued to pass and still he had not been shaken. And then he found Voldemort staring at him, his dark eyes glowing deep amber for a few seconds. Harry found himself staring at those cruel eyes calmly. Time. It’s happening soon.

    Harry began to seek out that familiar refuge to brood. That was what he had done if he hadn’t been studying. It surprised him somewhat when he saw that he was not alone. A couple nestled comfortably, using the grove of trees as a backdrop and they watched him expectantly.

    "You’ve grown so much," the woman sighed wistfully and held out her arms. She smiled when she saw Harry’s hesitation. Behind her, James got up to his feet and part of him noted in amusement that he was actually several inches taller than his father.

    "Well, we can’t stay here for long. Just wanna drop by and drop some hints," the man from whom Harry got his trademark messy raven hair said jovially as he hugged Harry. "Oh, don’t give me that look," James pouted when Harry unconsciously gave his father a look of total apprehension. "Seriously son. You’ve got to laugh more often. We’re lucky that Fenix and Hermione are taking really good care of you since I can see that your growth is no longer stinted. But I have several things to complain however," James said thoughtfully to Harry.

    In an automatic reaction, Harry tilted his head to his side and asked curiously, "What?"

    "Pranks, Harry. Pranks. You should prank a lot more."

    "James," his wife said in a warning tone and his father just smiled roguishly at her.

    "Second complaint: Snivellus."

    Harry had to laugh at his father. "Dad, he’s still human after all," Harry answered, knowing full well of his father’s irritation.

    "After being dead for so long, surely you have forgotten about your enmity?" Lily stared at James who sulked. "And you know what your son’s answer would be for the first complaint."

    James looked archly at his wife. "What? That ‘I’m-too-busy-thinking-about-Voldemort’ crap?" When he saw Harry’s flushed face, James felt stunned. He took a deep breath and then exploded. "Okay. Since when did you decide to grow all the way up and say ‘Hell’ to childhood?" Harry was then subjected with a handsome scowl by his father, which could only be rivaled by Harry’s godfather.

    Harry winced and stared uneasily at the man who was his father. Fortunately for Harry, James relented and dropped the subject when his wife gave him a penetrating look. James sighed then mercurially said in a bright voice, "You should get drunk with Sirius someday. You know, I’m glad that Fenix chose Moony instead of your godfather. Sirius can be flighty sometimes but Moony’s totally dependable. He’d be a great father one day." James edged away from his wife carefully when she glared at him.

    Lily stared at her husband for a long time before she spoke to Harry. "I want you to pay attention to everything that’s happening. Everything." The green-eyed youth stared at Lily and his insides went cold as she spoke the next sentence, "Yes dear. Including dreams and nightmares."

    Lily stepped forward and gave her son a hug. Harry squeezed her, comforted by the warmth. He tried not to look away from his mother’s eyes but it was difficult. It felt like her eyes had penetrated through him, knowing his mind, soul and heart.

    "You know it, don’t you? You that it will happen soon," Lily said softly.

    Harry stared at her in stunned silence. He doubted that anyone but his oathbrother and Fenix knew anything about the Duel. So how did they found out about it?

    "Mom," it seemed a little strange to Harry as he addressed her, "why are you and Dad still... hanging around?" Harry gazed calmly at his parents.

    James gave his son a fond smile. "You want us out of your life so soon? I understand that this makes Padfoot’s life easier."

    Harry was flustered and he stuttered, his voice squeaking. "But that... not..." Harry sighed in exasperation. "That was not what I meant!"

    "He was just teasing you, Harry. It’s not quite time for us to leave yet," she said, but Harry saw that she had stared at his father uneasily and James shook his head so slightly that if Harry hadn’t been paying attention, he would have missed it. Harry cautiously put on a blank face and Lily spoke again. "You’ll understand why, when it’s time."

    Harry’s shoulders slumped and he grimaced. "You have no idea of how much I hate that phrase." His parents grinned, then disappeared and Harry wondered what he should do next. I hope that my body will receive the rest it needs if I go back to sleep with unpleasant dreams that are more than likely to creep into my subconscious. I understand why Mom had said that I should pay attention to my dreams. There’s probably a simulation exercise waiting for me.

    Ninety minutes later, Harry was uncertain as to which scene he should approach. Right ahead of him were three pathways and all of them had a pair of beautiful and dark eagle-like creatures and the blue fiery form of the Phoenix. Harry somehow had the impression that all three were battle scenes and he had three choices. One: He shouldn’t interfere but inform Sirius about it. Two: Harry should be with her. Three: He should stay out of it.

    Harry was puzzled by the choices but somehow he felt the third was an appropriate choice and he crossed the line to walk on the third path. There was a rush of a warm breeze and Harry felt something akin to triumph but it quickly disappeared. Darkness fell to fill the room and he heard the soft rattle of chains. It was too dark for Harry to make out anything and instinctively, he tried to call for light but he couldn’t.

    There was something familiar inside the room but it evaded Harry completely. He was only aware that someone was in there. Two individuals. Then Harry felt it. The two individuals were on the brink of death and Harry felt like he had to do something about them. He felt a slow pressure at the back of his mind and he was puzzled. Was that regret he had felt?

    "You’re not supposed to help them," a gentle voice spoke to Harry.

    Harry predictably bristled. He thought hard at the voice. : If I can’t help them then why did you show it to me? :

    "You’ll see," the voice said.

    Harry ignored the voice and he ignored the dying individuals. For once in Harry’s young life, he successfully suppressed his curiosity. He made his way for the door that he had seen earlier and flung the door open.

    He found Voldemort staring insanely at him again.

**********

    Draco immediately got out of bed and grabbed his cloak. Fight it. Fight it, Draco. Don’t give in. Fight it. This was the fourth time he had gotten out of bed and wanting to be with someone. The first two times he had approached Fenix and her partner, the third was Aldren.

    Draco had barely stepped out of the Slytherin common room when a dangerous hiss whispered in his ear. "You should not be sneaking out even if you’re a prefect, Draco." The Bloody Baron quickly materialized.

    "I can’t... I don’t want to be alone!" Draco whispered urgently, trying to fight off the hysteria.

    "But your friends were with you," the ghost pointed out. The Bloody Baron stared at the boy nonchalantly although the ghost wondered what had caused the boy to be so alive. "The Fire Master isn’t free tonight," he informed Draco in an emotionless voice, although Draco noted with faint amusement that the ghost went pink for several seconds.

    "My godfather?" Draco whispered with effort

    "He’s in the classroom."

    Seconds later, Draco stood before the Potions Classroom and gave two distinctive and controlled knocks. Moments passed before the classroom door was opened by Snape himself. The Potions Master was both annoyed and curious at the late visit. He was about to give a sharp rebuke when he saw Draco but managed to bottle whatever he had to say when he had taken a good look at his godson.

    The Slytherin was looking very pale, there were visible shadows under his eyes and Draco actually looked feverish to Snape. The Potions Master stepped aside and Draco shuffled into the room tiredly and sat on his own seat.

    "If you are sick, why didn’t you go over to visit Madam Pomfrey?" Snape asked in concern.

    "I’m not having a fever," Draco’s voice trembled as he answered.

    "Draco, what is wrong with you?" Snape pestered, going round to Draco’s desk and stood, looking down at the boy.

    "It’s nothing..."

    "You don’t look all right to me," Snape said softly.

    "I... I just need to talk to someone," Draco answered in a hushed voice. Then he raised his weary, silver eyes to look at Snape. "Please don’t tell Harry or Fenix. They have their own problems to contend with."

    Snape stared at him for a few minutes before he finally answered. "Give me a few more minutes. I have to grade some of your assignments. You rest there while I’m at it." The Potions Master waited until Draco gave a tired nod and Snape left to be at his desk and resumed his grading.

    Snape occasionally rested his fingers and eyes and he spent several moment to study his godson, who had curled his hands onto the desk and his head, now fully blond again, rested on his arms. It was the slight sob that convinced Snape to stop his grading session and determine what was wrong with the Slytherin. But when did he suddenly become so weepy? Snape grumbled. The Potions Master skillfully grabbed the chair where it was usually occupied by Hermione and sat himself across Drake.

    : Now we’ll talk. Why are you crying? : Snape asked bluntly.

    Life flashed in Draco’s eyes as he asserted, : I am not crying! :

    : Then why do you have tears streaking your cheeks? : Snape asked archly.

    : Because they’re not in my tear ducts! : Draco snapped.

    Snape sighed. He hadn’t expected Draco to engage him in verbal fencing. : Would you please tell me what’s going on inside your mind? : Snape had carefully dropped off ‘to save time’ because that would probably hurt the youth’s feeling.

    : Fear. : Draco’s mindvoice was soft. : Fear. I’m afraid of something. I’m afraid to lose... : He trailed off.

    Snape frowned. : Lose? :

    : Something important. I can’t help it. It’s getting worse every night and I‘m afraid that I would lose something which is important to me... : Draco’s eyes darkened, confused by the depression he was experiencing. : I’m suddenly afraid for everything and everyone. I’m afraid for myself. :

    The room was silent, only filled with the sounds of breathing. Draco probably didn’t realize it but he was crying, letting the tears slowly fall from his eyes in an agonizingly silent way. He had also confessed to his godfather about the dreams he had about his father and Snape listened sympathetically. Finally Draco stopped and Snape took a deep breath.

    : Might I comment that your cause of depression is quite vague that I can’t really help you out? : Snape asked mildly and Draco managed to smile.

    : I know, but I feel better now, : Draco answered, his eyes looking gratefully at Snape.

    : Then you could go back to your bed, : the Potions Master replied but paused when Draco shook his head.

    : I’m not that well. I still don’t want to be alone, : he answered stubbornly. Snape sighed.

    : Then maybe I should move my work upstairs to my quarters. : Snape got up then neatly pushed the student’s chair at its original place and began to tidy up his desk, rearranging the ungraded students’ assignments.

**********

    The air was buzzing with excitement. Exams were already over and the students were much more relaxed and relieved. Except for the fifth-years who were very worried for their OWL results. There was at least something different about the Hall tonight. The vast room was lavishly decked with the colors silver and green. As it turned out, Slytherin had won the House Cup but the Gryffindors took the defeat quite well. After all they had been only two points behind Slytherin.

    Harry was kept busy by the chocolate cake that Hermione had cut out for him and her partner and when he went for another helping, he wondered if Fenix was the one who had baked it. Harry was excited beyond words. It would be the first time that he wouldn’t be going back to the Dursleys. It’s also going to be Draco’s first time that he would be occupying a Muggle house and that he would also have the chance to babysit. Giselle had already given birth to a healthy human boy (outwardly of course).

    "Hey," Ron dutifully swallowed his chicken before continuing, "where are they? Dinner’s almost half over."

    "Fenix is trying to persuade Snape to spend his summer at her house but she’s going to be disappointed," Hermione answered.

    "You sound so sure about that," Harry mused.

    "Because I am. Snape has that annual Potion Meeting to attend with his peers," Hermione informed them. "By the way Ron, Moody did tell you we’re not supposed to owl each other during the holidays?"

    Ron nodded and she sighed. "Well, at least I could send email to Harry while he’s staying with Fenix. But I absolutely hate it when I have to rely on the sly Sylphs to give my letters to you," Hermione was staring dreamily at her partner and Ron blushed.

    "Well... uhm... what’s email?"

    "Forget it," Hermione said.

    "The Sylphs won’t really see what you write, right?" Ron squirmed in his seat.

    "Trust me Ron. I know their minds," his partner said in a fervent tone.

    "Well, excuse me!" That belonged to Aelwyn, sounding very horrified at Hermione’s implications. Hermione however refused to entertain the Elemental with more comments then nudged Harry lightly. "See. She failed."

    They all studied Fenix’s expressionless face and it was the blank look that hinted that she was upset. She gave one long sigh as she sat opposite Harry and cut herself a very huge piece of cake, all the while muttering something about a stubborn, greasy-haired, beaked nose individual and Ron smothered his laughter.

    Fenix snapped out of her black mood and asked Harry mischievously, "Excited?"

    "A little. So Sirius is leasing the House of Black to the Order?" Harry questioned her in a curious tone.

    "Yeah. I’m glad that my house is big enough to shelter all of you, although I think I might have to expand it sometime in the future," she said thoughtfully. "But I wonder what we ought to do other than seeing you complete your homework."

    Draco came around and kissed her on her cheek in greeting before he gave Hermione and Ginny similar greetings. "I’m not going to worry about it if I were you. I think you, and maybe your sister could possibly go crazy once Harry and I start experimenting around with Muggle appliances. Or maybe it’ll be just I," he said, remembering that his oathbrother at least had a Muggle upbringing.

    Fenix’s eyes widened and she narrowed her eyes dangerously. "No magic in the house Drake."

    "I know that," he answered, batting his eyes flirtatiously at her as he sat beside the Fire Master.

    "Stop that!" she poked Draco on his waist. "You’re just like Remus!"

    "Professor Lupin did that eye-blinking?" Hermione gasped, then collapsed in a fit of laughter.

    "Yes he did, that crazy werewolf," Fenix muttered under her breath, then she stared at the Slytherin. : When I say magic Drake, I meant the magic that is not normally taught in your wizarding world. :

    Draco groaned in mock disappointment while his oathbrother smirked. Fenix was pleased by how the cake had turned out and scowled. She pitched her voice loudly so that a lurking Potions Master would be able to hear her words clearly. "Sev, I’m going to finish the cake if you’re too slow for my liking!"

**********

    : Well, it seems that she is still mad at you, : Sirius said brightly.

    : Shut up. : Snape growled and he hurried on into the Hall.

    "Disgusting," Sirius shuddered, thinking about the Potions Master’s addiction to Fenix’s baking. On a sober note, he said to his best friend. : You’ve been quiet. :

    :Too quiet for your taste? : Remus raised his eyebrow slightly at his friend.

    : Why are you so keen to get Severus holidaying again? : Sirius asked him in a tone that he wouldn’t be satisfied with just any answer.

    : I somehow feel more comfortable that if he’s with us, we could protect each other, : Remus answered as truthfully as he could. : I always get this funny feeling every single time I think about him being separated from us. :

    : But so is half of the family, : Sirius pointed out in a serious tone.

    Sirius was quiet until they reached the Gryffindor table and he grinned when he saw that the Masters were already starting to bicker loudly, much to Dumbledore’s amusement. : They’ve made up then, : Sirius said as he sat beside Harry and his godson looked at him incredulously.

    : You call that ‘made up’? : Harry’s mindvoice was filled with disbelief.

    : Trust me Harry. They love each other so much that they sometimes like to show it to each other in a more violent manner, : Sirius said in a mocking somber voice.

    Harry was shaking his head. Usually the Potions Master was normally a stoic man but now as Harry realized it, Fenix had effectively turned his life upside down. : Slytherins are truly an odd bunch... : Harry remarked.

    : Did you say something Green-Eyes? : Draco asked in a deceptively sweet voice.

    : It’s nothing. : Harry answered quickly and then he spluttered when Fenix said in an arrogant voice.

    "Yes! I love you! You goddamn, greasy-haired... bat! Dear Phoebus! You make me so damn mad that I want to throttle you! Egoistic bat!" Fenix spat. "Too bloody damn proud to even say three simple words."

    Snape bristled and Harry gazed at Fenix in awe. Harry paused to look at the werewolf for any signs of jealousy but to Harry’s surprise, Remus was actually smirking. In fact, he started encouraging his partner by saying, "Go on lover." That earned him a very sly wink by the Fire Master.

    Snape’s face was red and she egged him with insults until he turned purple. By now, both of them were off the bench and were standing on their feet and the school watched the free entertainment with good humor.

    "Pride be damned!" Snape suddenly shouted. In a flash, he had Fenix in his arms and was squeezing her so tightly that a small gasp came out from her. " I’d rather be stuck in a study than the babble of noises of pointless human debate! Bloody woman! Of course I’d rather be with you than those arrogant bastards who call themselves masters!"

    Fenix smiled into his chest and Snape felt it through so many garments. "Devilish little chit. Don’t tell me you went through all that making up insults just to hear me confess that I’ll miss you?" Snape heard her make a small sound of admittance and he sighed. "Fenix, I’m so disappointed."

    Then he did something he would never do if he had been the Potions Master of a year ago, especially in public. He openly showed his affection for her in front of the entire school. He kissed her fondly on her forehead and Ron’s eyes bulged out horribly looking like a goldfish while Harry and Draco snickered. Remus and Sirius were grinning so widely and it was impossible for the humans, elves and wolves not to smile.

    The eight Death Eaters who were still in custody (They had been let out of the shield but they were trapped by the spells that had been cast by Dumbledore, the elves, house-elves and Fenix), stared at the scene with wide-eyed incredulity. They could only exchange helpless glances, not being able to even curse.

    Fenix finally lifted her face and gave the wizard a shy smile, her silver eyes lighting up and it made Snape feel like laughing. So he laughed. A soft, warm laugh that made her face glow in wonderment. That convinced everyone that there was a man living inside the severe black robes and suddenly everyone (Death Eaters excluded) was so proud to have him as their Potions Master.

    Sirius sighed. Snape had deftly caught all of them and Sirius shuddered at the sudden feeling of protectiveness for his longtime nemesis. Dear Merlin. One laugh was all it took for us to get wrapped securely around his finger. I think he’s just as bad as Fenix.

    McGonagall suddenly stood up and began clapping. "I am amazed by your skill, Miss Maxwell. Perhaps, one day you should sit down with the rest of us and give several useful pointers." She eyed the Headmaster in a rather peculiar manner. "Hmmm. Albus. You look rather becoming with that blush."

    Giggles erupted and Dumbledore mumbled something softly while McGonagall smiled faintly at him. Dinner resumed, and by the time it had passed eight-thirty, only Fenix, the elves and the wolves remained in the Hall while the rest had left to see to their packing. The Death Eaters were restored to the antechamber and the Hall was filled with the soft whisperings of conversation.

**********

    Fenix pulled her hair up into a tight ponytail and quickly slipped on her boots. All of them were waiting downstairs and she grabbed her Ice Dagger. She took a moment to lock the room, walking until she reached Snape’s door. I wonder if he’s in there. She was just about to send a thought when the door opened and the Potions Master held the door, grinning at her.

    "Get that grin off your face Sev," Fenix grumbled.

    "Why don’t you transfer it to your face then?" Snape said in a mocking voice. His grin became more maniacal when she gave him a one-armed hug. Up to then, Fenix had refused to kiss him while he was standing, knowing that she won’t be able to reach his cheek even if she stood on her toes.

    : Sev, take care of yourself and don’t forget to call, : she whispered and Snape knew that he was missing their unplanned bickering already.

    : You too. : Snape bent down to kiss her cheek and held her for a few minutes. Fenix gave him one last squeeze before bolting out of the corridor.

**********

    Aldren directed Fenix to the edge of the Forest. Her two wolves and the company of elves would be Gating out to their Grove along with the trunks except for the owls and Crookshanks. Aldren also told her that Lion would be waiting for them at the station to pick them up. She nodded and watched the group disappeared before she mounted on her broom and flew off, meeting her partner in the air in a couple of seconds.

    The carriages had already begun moving along the trail and Fenix forced herself not to fret about the Potions Master. Remus understood her well enough and tried to comfort her. His insides fluttered as he watched her flying in her Hunter garb. Bloody hell werewolf. Keep your mind off your partner for once.

    They reached the station without any sort of mishaps and the train was already waiting for the students to board. Mini-chaos erupted as students scrambled in to get to the best seats and to Hermione’s horror, Fenix slipped out a small, sharp pointed dagger and aimed it at one of the windows.

    "Fenix!" Hermione hissed. "What are you doing?"

    However, it was Moody who answered her. "She’s testing if they had made improvements on the train." He winked knowingly at Fenix when her dagger clattered harmlessly to the ground. The window was unmarked.

    "Well, that’s it." She looked at the train with satisfaction and she scooted up the train.

    Forty-five minutes later, the train was moving and gaining speed steadily. Fenix had seated herself beside Draco with her partner and her oathbrother sitting on the opposite. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny occupied the other seats and were already chatting away.

    : I kind of miss my bed. : Fenix smiled mischievously at her oathbrother.

    : With me on it? : Sirius replied devilishly and Remus stared at her in a threatening manner.

    : Don’t you dare form a thought lover, : Fenix said, her mindvoice filled with anger and amusement. : He never had me. :

    Hermione and Ginny gasped at her words, Ron choked on his Chocolate Frog, while Draco and Harry guffawed loudly at the blushing faces belonging to Sirius and the werewolf.

    : Fenix, I wasn’t aware that you can be severely blunt sometimes. : Draco smirked nastily.

    "If she had been any more blunt Drake, your sexual education could be completed within a day," Sirius said seriously.

    "How my godfather would be amazed by that," Draco mused and looked speculatively at Fenix.

    "Get your eyes off her, Dragon. She’s mine," Remus said lightly, trying not to sulk in front of the children. Laughter quickly filled the compartment as their journey back to King’s Cross continues.

**********

    The group slowly made their way out of the station, Fenix and Moody scanning the crowd ahead of them carefully. Harry in the meantime, looked for the Dursleys. Sure enough, Harry saw his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia but there was no Dudley. Not that it mattered much anyway. His uncle was looking at the amateur witches and wizards. Fenix noticed that Harry’s aunt was gripping her husband’s biceps when she stared at someone to Fenix’s right. Fenix took a quick glance and saw that it was her oathbrother and she lifted her right eyebrow in question.

    : I don’t think it matters, except maybe for the police, : Harry told her and she nodded.

    The group was slowly approaching Harry’s former caretakers and Harry politely began to introduce the company to the Dursleys’ first.

    "So... You’re not really going to live with us anymore," Vernon said in a harsh voice, and although it wasn’t a question, Harry nodded anyway.

    "But are you sure they can protect you?" Aunt Petunia asked worriedly and Harry sighed.

    "I don’t know. But at least that if we get into trouble we can devise some way to defend ourselves. If I’m still living with you..." Harry left the sentence hanging and his aunt nodded.

    A flash of black and something that glittered blue caught Fenix’s attention and she scanned the person carefully, just to make sure that he is who he say he is. : Our chauffeur is here, : she said as Lion the tailor approached them carefully. : And there are your parents, Hermione. :

    Taking their leave from the Dursleys, the students made their farewells and the Grangers exchanged a brief conversation with the Fire Master and then the Grangers disappeared. The Weasleys were next and Fenix was greeted warmly by the twins and told them all that Percy had made up with them (Bill was still vexed with him and Percy thought it’d be wiser if he stayed out of The Burrow.) Charlie just acted surprised. Arrangements were also made that Harry and Draco would be spending the last two weeks of summer at The Burrow ("If nothing happens that’ll change that," Molly had said tiredly.) Mr. Weasley then handed Harry and Draco an envelope each and just told them they needed that if they wanted to take the test.

    The Slytherin exchanged an amused look with his oathbrother, who shrugged. So after Ginny gave all of them their last hug of the day, the Weasleys left and only Moody was left with the group and Lion finally reached them.

    "Hi there Mad-Eye," Lion greeted the ex-Auror familiarly and Moody just gave him a lofty look while he muttered something that sounded ominously like ‘– arrogant brat...’. "Well, where’s that striking black-haired man and who is this?" Lion stared curiously at Draco, and quirked up an eyebrow when he saw the Slytherin’s eyes. "Your secret son?" he hazarded, looking at Fenix quizzically then winced when the Fire Master swatted him.

    "He is not," Fenix answered sharply and looked about them. "So where are you heading to now?" she asked the ex-Auror and he responded by saying that he would be going to the Headquarters and he reminded Fenix to report to him occasionally. She nodded her agreement and finally the remaining group followed Lion to where he had parked the minibus. Draco looked about him with curiosity but he managed not to act too surprised.

    As they went up the small bus (a rather large van), something popped in Harry’s mind and he called Fenix in a somewhat hesitant voice. "Fenix?" Harry heard her make a sound of inquiry as she took care of Hedwig’s and Bootes’s cage. "Do I get to listen to Linkin Park?" he asked hopefully.

    Sirius swore when Fenix’s face suddenly turned inquisitive. Remus looked at them in bewilderment as he saw Fenix’s lips twitching with mischief. "And that reminds me. Maybe, I’ll take you guys out on a shopping spree someday."

    "No East 17!" Sirius spoke in a firm voice and was distracted briefly by the elf, who was advising the passengers to get seated.

    "What’s wrong with East 17?" she asked curiously.

    "You just play their songs too damn much that they’ll forever be stuck in my head!" Sirius said loudly.

    "You were the one who started it... by singing Ace of Base..." Fenix pouted.

    : What’s up with them two? : Draco asked both Harry and Remus in annoyed tone. The latter shrugged.

    Harry asked Fenix whose eyes had gone rather distant. "Is it going to be a long ride?"

    "Yes. A couple of hours at least," she answered distractedly then she began singing in a soft voice and Harry heard his godfather groaning in the background.

    And almost unconsciously, Sirius joined her as he watched the passing traffic out of the window.

    "Now see what you’ve done!" Sirius complained and she laughed. The elf wisely turned on the radio to occupy their minds. And it was coincidence when East 17's Thunder began playing.

**********

    The House of Maxwell was filled with activity as the elves welcomed Fenix and the rest and they were eagerly pushing her into the living room to meet up with her nephew. Draco and Harry stepped into the living room shyly. Draco, being one born with a fine taste in life, scrutinized Fenix’s home and decided it wasn’t that bad. At least it wasn’t shabby. He vowed that he would examine the house in greater detail when it wasn’t as crowded as it was right now. There were a lot of elves and the oathbrothers watched the smaller Fenix getting a hug from every handsome guy, only that they have a strange pair of ears.

    Sirius watched the swarming elves with amusement and grinned wickedly when he saw the expression of his best friend’s face. "I didn’t know that she was so popular. But of course, the only blokes I’m familiar with would be those that had turned up at Hogwarts and Derian."

    "Hmph." That was all that came out from the werewolf’s mouth. Finally, Fenix reached the point where she couldn’t stand being nuzzled anymore.

    "Okay guys. Shoo! I want to see my nephew!" she said happily, as she pushed Cadriel back to his friends. Giselle laughed, her eyes examining the three strangers standing apprehensively beside Sirius. She turned her attention to the not so small bundle she was holding carefully in her arms. The baby stirred when he was transferred into the steady hands of his aunt.

    "How nice it would be when he takes a look at me and start crying," Fenix joked and the proud father stood by Giselle’s side as they watched Fenix rocked the baby back and forth.

    Remus felt slightly odd as he watched Fenix’s soft expression and he shook his head, trying not to feel so dazed. Fenix spoke again, this time to ask the baby’s name.

    "Lucifer," Giselle replied and Fenix stared at her sister, trying to determine if Giselle had suddenly gone mad. "Pulling your leg..." Giselle laughed heartily. "It’s Spencer Shadowwood."

    Fenix looked quizzically at the last name and looked at Cadriel. "Standard practice," the handsome elf shrugged. "Whoever marries a male elf will take on the name of the Grove."

    Quite suddenly, small Spencer opened his eyes and stared directly at Fenix. His eyes were of a clear, deep blue, just like his father. The living room fell silent and Spencer raised one tiny arm and Fenix clasped it carefully. "Hello Spens. I’m Fenix and I just happened to be your aunt."

    A gasp of happiness came from the baby and Fenix smiled faintly, walking calmly toward the wizards. She went over to Sirius first. "This one is my oathbrother, his name is Sirius and I guess he’ll be Uncle Sirius to you," she said in a conversational tone and it amused Draco, listening to her talk to an infant barely sixth months old. Fenix had turned to Harry and she spoke in the same soothing voice. "This is Uncle Sirius’s godson, Harry. That makes you his cousin."

    Spencer struggled briefly, one small arm reaching out to touch the lightning scar on his forehead. Harry’s eyes were transfixed on the baby’s blue eyes and he broke off from the stare, exchanging a curious look with his godfather.

    "And this is your cousin’s oathbrother, Draco. So, you’re his cousin too." Fenix paused as Spencer gave a very adorable squeal. "I think he’s fascinated by your hair," she said lightly and Draco blushed prettily.

    Fenix rested her eyes on Remus, her face unreadable. Spencer had turned quiet again and they got closer to the hazel-eyed wizard. "And this," Fenix whispered in the baby’s ear, her eyes still fixed on the werewolf, "is my mate. His name’s Remus. And he is your uncle too, so don’t forget the uncle when you address him."

    All of a sudden, Spencer cried out. He was jumping around in Fenix’s arms and Derian looked totally surprised by his son’s behavior. Then he whispered a witty comment to his wife, "That was certainly not much of a hassle to get a babysitter." Fenix by now had given the baby to her partner and she watched Spencer burrowing his face on the werewolf’s chest and repeatedly flash cute, toothless grins. She smiled faintly at her nephew’s liking for her partner. Seeing that her future husband was concentrating hard on the baby, Fenix introduced the rest of the company to everyone and by the time she had introduced the last elf, Harry felt that his mind was about to burst.

    "Harry, Drake? Let’s go up and choose your bedrooms and open their cages will you? Let them explore the house for a bit and tomorrow I’ll see to it that they get familiar with the woods so that they won’t have to stay inside the house all the time," Fenix suggested as Derian shooed their guests back to their own homes.

    : Remus, I’ll be upstairs, : she sent a thought to the werewolf then sighed when it appeared that her partner was totally absorbed with the baby. "Oh well... Come on!" she smiled brightly at the Sirius, Harry and Draco.

**********

    Snape paused at the Fire Master’s office. He sighed then turned back and headed for his Potions classroom. He walked tiredly down the narrow staircase, walked some more, unlocked his classroom and sat on his chair somberly. It was the first time in his life that he had admitted to himself that he was feeling bored. Very bored.

    Thank Merlin that the blasted meeting is only three days away. Me. The greatest Potions Master the wizarding world has ever known, the Head of the Slytherin House, is on the verge of falling into depression. Snape fiddled with his quill absently. I wonder what they’re doing right now...

    The melancholia that he was experiencing frightened him. Snape had never felt so lonely before. Now that it was the holidays, there were no students and teachers for him to nettle. Some nights, the feelings had been so intense that he had struggled to breathe, his eyes had stung painfully. Sometimes, he imagined he heard Fenix’s sometimes cynical voice, the taunts that came from Black, the gentle humor from the werewolf, and even Ron’s loud voice. He heard the giggles of Ginny and Hermione when they had stared at the sketch of a half-nude Potions Master, then the curses that left Harry’s and his godson’s mouth.

    Snape covered his face with both hands, wondering why he had changed so drastically, or why he wanted that change. He slowly pushed the thought away, filing it so that he would be able to examine when he’s in a brighter mood. Snape had never found human contact as warm as what Fenix had given him. Those days with Draco’s father were always filled with taunts (but he hated Sirius’s taunts more), and Narcissa, Lucius’s wife had openly flirted with him and that disgust him still. But then Lucius had become warmer when his heir was born, the gift of fatherhood. Lucius had wanted more as he watched the baby grow, crawling on his knees, taking his first steps, hearing the first word. But his wife refused to give him more. Lucius had what he wanted, his heir and then, cold-hearted, icy Malfoy returned into the picture and so did the obsession (if it had been obsession in the first place) of resurrecting Voldemort. Snape let out a long sigh.

    Then his thoughts turned toward the Fire Master and he wondered if Sirius and Remus resented of the close ties that both Masters shared. Don’t dwell on it and make yourself feel bad. Gods... I miss them. Snape was aware that he was trembling, his heart aching to be in the company of his friends. He was afraid that they might be taken away from him and then he recalled the visit that Draco had made one night.

    A ragged breath escaped from the Potions Master’s throat. He wanted to be with them. Snape wasn’t sure if he could stand being alone for ten more weeks without going mad. I wonder if Dumbledore has any clue where she lives?

**********

    "Are you done?" Draco asked his oathbrother patiently, rolling up his finished Potions homework. The two were utilizing Fenix’s study room to complete their homework. Harry frowned, writing feverishly on the parchment and sighed with relief.

    "Yeah," Harry answered belatedly and the two youths stacked their stuff neatly and placed it aside before rushing down to the living room. It was twelve minutes past ten in the evening and it suited them just fine that Fenix didn’t place a curfew on them. Draco groaned when he saw that Fenix had occupied the entire couch, entertaining the baby. The moment the Slytherin caught the baby’s eyes, Spencer squealed with delight and Fenix gave a visible wince at the infant’s vocal strength and grunted when baby Spencer began jumping on her stomach.

    "Okay Drake. It’s your turn to entertain this fella," Fenix said between grunts and Draco sighed. He complied however, since he was entranced with the baby as everyone else, although Harry still felt skittish at holding Spencer without supervision. Once Fenix was relieved of her nephew, she scooted down to cuddle next to her partner, making Sirius roll his eyes at the couple. Harry laughed and sat next to his godfather on an armchair and watched TV while his oathbrother was contented to make faces at the baby.

    Fenix smiled and purred slightly, knowing that her partner liked to head the sound and Remus pulled her closer. She closed her eyes and reached a thought. It was time to make a call on someone they miss very much.

    : Sev? : she called out softly.

    : Hmmm? : a sleepy inquiring thought filled her mind.

    Fenix immediately became worried. She formed her thought carefully before sending it to the Potions Master. : Sev, are you all right? You’re in bed earlier than usual. :

    : Blasted research papers and goddamn journals. You know how they make your head feel as if it’s been stuffed full of conflicting research theories, : Snape answered drily and Fenix chuckled. Snape was silent for a moment and he spoke shyly, : I miss you. :

    Fenix hid a smile and asked mischievously. : Only me? Or everybody in general? :

    : That werewolf of yours would hex me... maybe claw me to death if I say it’s the first. Your oathbrother would drop me off a cliff if I say it’s the first. So of course I miss you... guys, : Snape answered drily, not sounding as sleepy as he had a few minutes ago.

    Fenix chuckled harder this time and Remus looked down at his partner curiously. : You’re disappointing me, Sev. :

    Snape sent a wave of energy down the mind-link and it felt like she had just been hugged by the absent Potions Master. Out of the blue, he suddenly asked her for the coordinates of her house. Her delight was evident from the burst of light that filled Snape’s mind, and she showed him just how happy she was when he relented.

    : Do you miss me? : Snape asked abruptly.

    : Yes, : Fenix admitted then smiled faintly when Snape informed her that he would probably be coming sometime in the first week of July, and he listened to her advice about recruiting Moody along. They finally said their goodbyes, and Fenix relaxed against the warmth of her partner.

    Remus suddenly rolled on top of her and she gasped at the unexpected weight. She was blushing and through the oathbond she had with Sirius, her oathbrother was truly shocked. Harry looked down at the couple and chuckled, quickly shutting his more unboyish thoughts away. Draco’s eyebrows had lifted so high up to his forehead that it was barely visible.

    "Remus! What in hell are you doing?" Fenix exclaimed and her face turned redder. "There are kids present!" Her frantic shouts drew her sister who was in the kitchen and Giselle stared at her sister who was pinned to the floor by the werewolf. She snickered and saw that her baby was looking at the couple with interest. She shrugged to herself and went back to her chores.

    "What were you discussing with our greasy-haired bat?" Remus asked mildly.

    ‘Moony," Sirius spoke after clearing his throat, "if you wish to interrogate her, can you please do it in a less... provocative position?"

    The werewolf lifted his head and strands of his brown hair touched with gray covered one side of his face. "I happen to like this position very much, Padfoot," he answered, looking intently at Sirius.

    Fenix sighed and poked in between her partner’s ribs and he flinched. "Snape’s coming over soon, after he’s done with that conference," she replied and Draco’s face glowed when he heard that.

    "Seems like someone isn’t used to be alone anymore," Harry snickered.

    : You seem to have gotten the question wrong, lover, : Remus said lightly. : So, I’ll be blunt. Sometimes I think you’re fascinated by Severus more than I fascinate you. :

    Fenix stopped herself from answering him immediately. This was not the first time that Remus had caught her in a private conversation and she had no idea how it happened. Not that it mattered, since from her gift of Empathy confirmed that Remus was feeling slightly envious. Fenix knew that she had to do something about it before the envy turns into something much more serious.

    : So you’d rather explain and argue about it? : Remus lifted his eyebrow in inquiry and she nodded. : Very well. :

    The atmosphere suddenly changed when the couple got up in silence and left the living room. "I say we shouldn’t try to contemplate what happened between the two," Sirius suggested and Harry agreed.

    Draco too, seemed to have forgotten what had transpired between the couple when Spencer kept him busy by refusing to let go of the silvery blond hair from his little fingers. It was only fifteen minutes later when he spoke up, with baby Spencer still holding on to his locks. "It’s jealousy I think."

**********

    Fenix was feeling slightly nervous. Her partner had calmly seated himself on the bed and was leaning against the headboard. He watched her unwaveringly as she stood before the bed in the dark room, with moonlight filtering through the window.

    : You’re hurt by the words I shared with Sev, : Fenix whispered in his mind.

    : Yes, I am, : he answered, mindvoice flat.

    : And you don’t really like the way how both of us had become so close to each other, : Fenix went on.

    : Yes, : Remus answered in the same flat voice.

    : But you’re aware that I won’t be able to change the relationship with Sev, : she said softly that Remus barely heard it.

    Fenix stared at her partner for a long time. She wanted to be angry with him for thinking that she was double-crossing him but she didn’t really want this to become a full-blown argument. If it was Sev who she had crossed, it would be all right because they would make up immediately but not with the werewolf. The two of them had seldom entangled themselves with misunderstandings but somehow, misunderstandings would come inevitably for them. Fenix sighed, then moved over to his side. He stared at her, his face hard and his eyes were icy.

    : Sometimes dear, you make me so angry that I’m at a loss for words, : she said softly, her eyes boring deeply into his. "Stupid, idiotic wolf." She leaned down until their faces were only an inch apart.

    : You can’t make the hurt go away with kisses, : Remus answered in a warning tone.

    : Yes, I can’t, : she agreed. : Do you think you can live without him now that he’s firmly part of our lives and hearts? Can you go for weeks without wishing that he’s here to give his opinions? : Fenix questioned him calmly and straightened her back. Grabbing the available stool, she planted it beside the bed, so that the couple were staring at each other in equal height.

    : You know, Remus, : she began calmly. : If I had no intention of having only you as my mate, do you think I would have accepted this in the first place? : Fenix fingered the ring that was on her ring finger. She stared at him and he briefly felt the resentment coming from her. : For a man of a cool character, you can be incredibly narrow-minded. :

    Remus blinked his eyes once.

    Remus said nothing and Fenix began to trace his jawline. : I love you more, : she said.

    : And how would you know that? : Remus casually pointed out, trying to maintain his firm demeanor and anger but he found it difficult to concentrate with the way her fingers were lightly touching his cheek.

    : I know my own heart better than you do, : she whispered in a dangerous way and he involuntarily gasped when she kissed him on his neck, just below his left earlobe. : Are you going to stop thinking about this ‘two-timing’ thingy or not? :

    He made a faint sound of acquiescence, not being able to form even a coherent thought. She kissed him gently on his cheek and drew back to stare into his eyes. Even in the dimness of the room, she was able to see that his eyes were slightly unfocused. She gave him a brief mental caress and he suppressed the moan that threatened to emerge from his throat. : There’s no other man that would take care of my heart as well as you do. : His hands were already pulling her closer to him but she evaded his attempts to kiss her. : And I’m simply too enticed by you to go and tease someone else, even if that someone’s shoulders are nicer. :

    : Fenix... : Remus called her dangerously and she giggled.

**********

    Snape suppressed the urge to yawn. Yawn? I can barely keep my eyes open! He stared blankly at the pockmarked face of his colleague who was rambling about the need to exploit more of the werewolves as test specimens. Patience is a virtue Severus. Remember that. A few more hours and you’ll be on your broomstick to be with your family. Patience is a virtue, he repeated the phrase in his mind.

    "Snape, are you even listening?" the speaker’s voice whipped out and Snape was careful to maintain his cool exterior.

    "Yes, I am, Hawke. Now get to the point. We have five more speakers to go and not enough time to make a discreet escape out of this building." His voice was steely.

    "Just so he can cuddle up with that small, wanton Fire Master," someone uttered and Snape’s coal-black eyes scanned the conference room slowly.

    "Snape is right Hawke. Might I remind you that You-Know-Who and his lunatics are still on the loose? It’s not like we’re strong enough to take them on or having ample bodyguards to guard our lives," one wizard spoke in a very serious voice.

    "I agree," the same wizard who had commented about Snape and the Fire Master. Snape stared at the man icily. "But as for the lunatics, it’s already too late because we have one already seated comfortably in this room." The wizard leaned back in his chair, smirking.

    Snape maintained his calm although his mind was creating tortures for that wizard. No, I think Fenix freezing him in the insides is much cooler... "Keep going Hawke," he heard himself order.

**********

    Draco left Harry to feed the baby. Both adult wizards had accompanied Giselle, Aldren and Derian to replenish some supplies. Only Fenix, the wolves and the two oathbrothers with the baby were left in the house.

    Leaning against the kitchen’s doorframe, Draco watched Fenix as she grated a thick bar of chocolate. Judging by what’s been laid on the table, the Slytherin resolved that she was going to do some baking. The loud rumblings of his stomach galled him and Fenix chuckled because it had been loud enough for her to hear.

    "Dinner will have to wait until the rest comes home from shopping," Fenix said softly, still grating her piece of chocolate.

    "I know," Draco said. "But the chicken wings smell so good..." He sniffed the air and sighed.

    An excited giggle from the baby reached their ears and Draco turned to peek. Harry had placed the empty milk bottle on the floor since the table was too far and he was rubbing gently on Spencer’s back. The infant seemed to be amused by his own burps and bounced unsteadily on Harry’s right thigh.

    "I never thought that both of us would actually successfully babysit Spencer." Draco smiled gently. "You can use magic to do that you know."

    Fenix looked up from the bowl. "I can?" At his nod, she pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Too late for me to use it. Anyway, the quality of the cookies might be different if I let magic contaminate the recipe." She rested her fingers for a bit before she continued with her grating.

    Draco sighed plaintively when his fingers started to itch. "Do you want me to batter up?"

    Fenix looked at him doubtfully and he gave her a sulky look, his eyes showing that he felt insulted. "I’ve watched you use your instruments before and I know in which order I’m supposed to throw everything in the mixing bowl. Cream the butter and sugar first, then flour that was already sifted with chemicals, I have no idea what they are and then the grated chocolate and chocolate chips."

    "It’s bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and a bit of salt," Fenix said helpfully, and gave him a sheepish grin. "You learn fast," she said, sounding very impressed. Draco felt flattered and he moved closer to the table. One thing he liked about Fenix was that she prepared everything beforehand. The cake mixer was already ready for use and she had weighed everything. Draco went to the sink and washed his hands thoroughly before drying his hand on the disposable towels.

    He then checked the butter and finding that it was soft, he picked the small bowl and grabbed a spoon, prodding the butter to drop into the center of the mixing bowl. Next, he reached out the bowl containing a mixture of white and brown sugar, and he watched it cascade down into the bowl.

    Draco then switched the main source of power on and then he carefully pushed the lever of the mixer to its minimum speed. Draco loved to watch Fenix batter but he admitted only to himself that he did not care much for weighing flour, butter and sugar.

    Fenix had already finished grating the bar of chocolate and watched Draco stir the mixer. At least my arms won’t be tired today. When the mixture had turned fluffy, she helped him to pour the flour down a little at a time.

    "Why didn’t you just melt the chocolate down?" Draco asked absently and Fenix began pouring the grated chocolate. Draco, with his free hand, reached for the bowl of chocolate chips. Lots of chocolate chips of brown and white.

    "I’ve tried it but it didn’t taste as nice as pieces of chocolate," Fenix answered.

    A happy gurgle came from just outside the kitchen and Harry came in, holding Spencer securely in his arms. Although the chore was quite difficult since Spencer was kicking about happily. Fenix smiled at the baby and an adorable gasp came from Spencer as the infant watched Fenix’s smiling eyes. She began clearing the table and washed the used utensils before she took the greased baking trays and several small spoons.

    "Ummmm... this taste really good," Draco said dreamily, licking his finger. He had just scraped off some of the batter from the side of the mixing bowl. "Very chocolatey."

    Fenix grinned at him conspiratorially and began to scoop up and soon, dollops of batter were on the tray, ready to be baked in the oven. Harry was about to sit when his godfather yelled in his mind.

    "That guy is crazy. Probably every elf within ten miles from my house heard his scream," Fenix muttered under he breath as she placed the tray into the oven with two Salamanders in them, making sure that the temperature remain constant.

    They all left the kitchen and Spencer struggled harder when his father appeared, arms waving wildly. "If you don’t mind me making an observation Derian," Harry spoke as he kept his hold onto the baby, "I swear that your baby isn’t acting normally."

    The elf chuckled as he placed his grocery bags on the floor and took Spencer. "But then, my son isn’t exactly normal, judging by the male who fathered him," he said roguishly.

    Fenix stood by the front door and surprised her partner with a kiss and he nearly dropped the bag containing several breakables. "What’s this about?" he asked her suspiciously.

    : I missed you, : Fenix answered simply and tugged the werewolf into the house.

    "What’s for dinner?" Sirius asked brightly.

    "Barbequed chicken only that it’s been pan-fried, fish and chips, salad, and chocolate chip cookies," Draco answered and his stomach growled again.

    "The chicken smells really good," Remus agreed, licking his lips hungrily.

    "You guys get cleaned up and then we can have dinner," Fenix advised. She faced Derian. "Spens," she called out and the baby stopped his gurgling and cooing, and stared at her. Then the baby shrieked out, struggling against his father to reach for Fenix.

    "You see what I mean when I say he’s not normal," Harry commented to his oathbrother who was chuckling softly at the infant’s unnatural antic.

    "Fenix, I haven’t got to cuddle him all day!" Sirius, Remus and Giselle exclaimed at once

    "Don’t offend the baby’s nose," Fenix said implacably and she received mindslaps from the three of them.

**********

    Eyes watched the black clad man warily and at a given signal, two men loitering outside a bar began to tail the man cautiously. By the time Snape realized that he was being followed, it was already too late. All he could see was the rough piece of wood arcing up above him and it hit the back of his head. The second man managed to catch the limp body and the Apparated out of the area. A busking elf saw it but watched helplessly as she was too far away to be of help. Her eyes were good, and she saw just whom it was that had been abducted. She took a deep breath and sounded the alert.

**********

    The dining room was as noisy as it could get and Fenix was happily washing the dishes as she half listened to the friendly debate between Sirius and his godson. She felt excruciating pain lancing in her mind. The plate in her fingers dropped into the sink and shattered.

    She wasn’t even aware that she had blacked out until she saw Aldren’s concerned face looming over her. Memories came back to her; she saw Snape’s smiling face turned into shock when the attackers appeared. Gods... Sev... Fear began to claw its way into her heart and she sat up, her eyes looking desperately for Draco.

    "Lover, what’s wrong?" Remus asked her, his voice uncertain. He sounded as if he didn’t really want to know what had happened.

    "Drake..." Fenix could barely speak. Her voice came out as a harsh whisper. "Sev... Your godfather... Gods... Voldemort has him."

    Eyes widened and Spencer began whimpering. Draco suddenly sat down on a chair. His fear returned in huge waves. His mind whirled with confusing and horrible thoughts. His vision faded in and out, he was horribly shocked by the news. No... no... I don’t want him to die... No... Not Snape. Gods... I won’t cry. I realize it now... I don’t want to lose my father... I don’t want to lose Snape... I don’t want to lose the people that I love.

**********

~ Chapter 52: Beneath the Wings ~

Thursday, 4^th July. In the Twins’ Mansion.

Isaac stared at Voldemort and the wizard that was bounded with numerous chains. The twins’ eyes smoldered dangerously with anger but they had managed to get the Dark Lord to think that they were merely excited by the current display. Isaac exchanged a look with his twin. Damien’s brown eyes had turned to almost black, so angered and nauseated by Voldemort. He gave Isaac a look that signified, ‘This man’s sick in the mind’. Isaac nodded his agreement. Then he caught his brother’s eyes again, mouthing Lucius’s name and shaking his head, all the time looking at the bloodied, chained wizard.

    Damien nodded his understanding and approached Voldemort. He whispered silkily into the Dark Lord’s ear that they needed to make the preparations to welcome the Fire Master, but Voldemort was not even paying attention and the twins left the room. Isaac suddenly slammed his brother against the wall and kissed deeply. Death Eaters passed them without blinking an eye.

    Make sure that Lucius stays out of harm’s way or he’ll be killed for sure, Isaac said.

    I’ll try but I don’t think we have to worry about him that much. He’s probably drunk himself to stupor right now. But I wish we could do something for the other wizard, Damien replied.

    I hate to admit this, but I think our chances of achieving our goals have just been multiplied with the presence of the betrayer. Fenix won’t forgive us for this and she’ll probably fight us with more determination, Isaac’s thought was grim.

    They broke off from the kiss and made their way into the library where Lucius had closeted himself. Narcissa was nowhere to be seen but that suited the twins just fine, because her constant chattering and flirtations drove them almost to the point of madness.

    The Ancients ignored the looks of the Death Eaters as they walked past and they headed up the stairs without any interruptions. To their relief, the second landing seemed to be deserted and they walked along the corridor. The Death Eaters from the ground floor were still watching them and Damien wondered what was going through their minds. They finally reached the intersection and were about to walk along the corridor where all the functional rooms were situated, when a delightful squeal and sounds of groaning filled the corridor.

    Damien suppressed his anger unsuccessfully and he fumed while Isaac stood rigidly on his feet his fists clenching and unclenching, then clenching again. "They’re damn lucky that both of us will be dead by tonight. Bloody hell. Bastards. That rug cost us four times more than that bloody laptop," Isaac whispered. Disgust grew on his face as the groaning grew louder. "Maybe we should have set up some house rules before we gave them shelter. But I’m a fool to think that every one of them is more or less like Malfoy."

    "Too late, bro," Damien said quietly. "But I wish we could kill some of them ourselves. I know that I want to."

    "Hell. This way to the library is shorter," Isaac stared at the hallway in distaste.

    "Oh no. I’m bloody well not going to walk past that goddamn opened door. They’ll pull us in," Damien said firmly and tugged his brother’s arm. He winked mischievously. The twins grinned before they disappeared.

**********

    A man with long white-gold hair leaned beside the window, holding a glass of plain water. Outside, the world was warmed by the benevolent light of the Sun. Wind played between the trees and the man watched a pair of birds engaged in a dance of pre-courtship. This room was his only solace, to protect himself from having to deal with the company of his own kind. The Dark Lord had thought that he was merely sulking away and wallowing in self-pity, but that was not why he had locked himself in the room.

    Well, maybe he was indulging in a bit of self-pity. He remembered Voldemort’s cold hand against his chest and he shuddered. He just didn’t want to be involved with anyone today. Now with him out of the way, his wife was probably entertaining and flaunting herself to the others but Lucius was simply too tired to deal with his wife.

    The rays of sunlight that poked through the trees pulled a memory from his mind savagely. ~ It was himself, though younger and unconcerned. He was lying on his side, his chin propped up with his hand. He was wearing his customary black trousers and a simple white turtleneck shirt. His long pale hair was swept by the gentle breeze and a lock of his white-gold hair fell across his eyes and he carelessly pushed it away, tucking the lock behind his ear. He laughed, his eyes crinkled merrily. ~

    Lucius gasped, his left hand clenching on the windowsill with great pressure. He had laughed? He had given an unfeigned laugh? The memory swept him off again.

    Lucius frowned, trying to remember what he had said to his son but the memory disintegrated. The air prickled with energy and he stared around the library calmly. Someone was trying to break through his wards, to get into the library. Lucius’s remaining eye widened when the twins appeared, spluttering and gasping for breath.

    "Bloody freaking hell! Damn it Lucius! This is our goddamn library! Why in hell did you ward the entire place?" Damien shrieked and Isaac groaned at his twin’s loud yell and the backlash that had occurred as they forced themselves to get past the wards.

    Lucius was about to answer when Isaac gave his twin a light punch. "The answer’s pretty obvious, you dolt!" Lucius smiled faintly at that. Isaac was still speaking. "Hell. I guess it’s probably much safer if we are to just depend on our two feet to get to a place."

    Lucius stared at the twins for a moment before he strengthened his wards. He thanked Merlin for small favors that since he was by far strongest in wizardry, others would fail to approach him except for Voldemort himself. His casting completed, he conjured up a pair of comfortable armchairs for the Ancients, acting as if he’s the owner of the library.

    "Drink?" Lucius asked in a civil tone.

    "No thank you," Isaac politely declined the offer, still groaning. Lucius nodded and he went to the side table to place his own forgotten drink when he felt eyes looking at his back.

    Damien was unaware that he had been staring at Lucius’s profile until Isaac sent a book flying out of its shelf and smacked Damien solidly behind his head.

    "OUCH!" Damien screamed for the second time, turning in his chair to glare at his twin as he massaged the tender spot.

    Lucius did not know quite how to react to Damien’s fascination. When he returned to their side, the twins were staring daggers at each other. As he was about to sit on another conjured up chair, Lucius found himself staring into Isaac’s eyes.

    "I’m surprised that you’re still sober," the Ancient spoke in a sardonic voice.

    Lucius made a noncommittal sound as he caught sight of the book on the floor. "So, what had made the two of you to visit your own library?" Lucius asked in a smooth voice, bending his form slightly to pick up the forgotten volume. He felt the blood rush up to his face when Damien made a soft sound of appreciation. "Please, Damien. I’m a married man."

    That earned him a derisive snort and Damien replied in a peculiar flirtatious voice, "But looking won’t hurt right?" The Ancient leaned back against his chair. Then he spoke in a more serious voice. "Are your wounds still hurting you?"

    "They’ve healed. Although I don’t understand why you helped me," Lucius answered, raising his arm and slid the book back to its place. Thinking about what Voldemort had done to him made his wounds ache. "Since you’re here anyway, I might as well tell you that I’m fully aware of the return of the betrayer," Lucius said in a silky voice, ignoring the startled look that came from the Ancients. His expression turned bitter. "Only Bel knows how he had let himself be caught by a pair of amateurs."

    "But as amateurish as the amateurs were, they got the job done," Damien answered.

    Lucius stared at the twins and the twins stared back. Lucius finally took a deep breath and asked, "Why did you offer your aid to my Master? To even the odds against the Fire Master?"

    Isaac raised an eyebrow at the direct question. "There’s that, I agree. But at one point in our extended life, we had been Slytherins. We’re also using your Master as a building block. If everything goes as we had planned."

    "I don’t think the Fire Master will give in to you that easily. I’ve met her briefly, and she could be ruthless when the situation calls for it. Might I point out to you that she is also extremely fond of the betrayer?" Lucius cautioned the Ancients.

    "And that’s how it should be," Damien smirked, answering Lucius’s indirect question as accurately as he could.

    Lucius stared at him, feeling more than stunned. His head began to pound and he slid onto the empty armchair, not taking his eyes off the twins.

    Isaac stared seriously as Lucius. "Are you going to go and tell him about this?"

    That snapped Lucius out of his self-induced haze and he snorted. "I had rather stayed here and start sampling on your beverages." Damien gave a soundless laugh and the library fell silent.

    "What is he doing to the traitor?" Lucius finally questioned the twins in a small voice.

    Isaac and Damien exchanged wary looks before Damien answered. "He is not inducing pleasure if that’s what you were asking."

    "He was still holding to that whip when we came to find you," Isaac supplied and he continued. "He also had some knives in handy. He probably wants to–" He was quickly smothered by a Silencing Charm by Lucius.

    "Please, Isaac. My stomach is feeling a little delicate this morning. I don’t really want to hear the details."

**********

    He couldn’t think past the pain. His body was on fire, itching with agony. Snape wondered what Voldemort had done to make the insides of his mind burn and sensitive. His arms were pulled back behind him, straining his shoulder blades. He was on his knees and he noticed that he was without his robes, without his shirt. The Potions Master slowly opened his eyes and he was glad that the room he was in was without light. By the slight dampness and the chilliness of the room, Snape could only be in the cellar. As if by rousing himself to full consciousness, his body took the opportunity to send signals through his nervous system just how much he was suffering. Snape could not suppress the gasps; he was almost shrieking by the agonizing pain.

    Knowledge quickly dawned on the Potions Master. Severus Snape, former Death Eater, had been flogged. He finally realized that the itching on his back was actually caused by his own blood. He panted raggedly, his mind trying to will the pain to go numb. Snape was gasping so loudly that it had muffled Voldemort’s approach.

    The whip connected solidly on Snape’s back. Stars filled the Potions Master’s mind and a loud ringing noise filled his ears. Snape sagged forward, only to be held back by the magical chains that had closed in on his wrists. Some of his wounds broke open and had begun to bleed more freely. The pain was unbearable and Snape fell unconscious once more.

    "Here you are, in my presence and kneeling for me again, Severus," Voldemort purred, as he admired the long strands of pure black hair that covered half of the Potions Master’s face. "You should have stayed with Lucius. Love has indeed made you a weakling, and more careless, Severus. But this... tattoo," Voldemort said softly as his fingers danced above the Phoenix’s imprint, "seriously annoys me." Voldemort removed his fingers away and circled Snape once more, trying to think of ways to rectify the problem.

**********

    The inner circle glowed faintly with blue fire and it gradually brightened. It merged with the steady golden light coming from the outer circle. Fenix, Harry, Draco, Cadriel and Dumbledore stood at the five points of the pentagon while Sirius, Remus, Aldren, Aberforth and Michelle stood at the points of the pentacle. Derian had wanted to join them in the search but he backed down after his brother and the Fire Master gave him cool gazes. The house was filled with elves that had self-appointed themselves to guard the occupants as they worked. The elves were more than happy to do that, because it had been so long since a last newborn, and they could not quite keep off from Spencer.

    They had lost track of time as they searched, trying to trace Draco’s godfather. Draco felt his despair building up when they still had not come up with any clues where the Dark Lord was hidden. Harry sensed the dark emotions from his oathbrother and strengthened Draco with wordless encouragement and love. It was then when an image took form. It was a mansion and at first Draco thought it was his own home but then, the Malfoy Manor did not have an extensive maze.

    "Dumbledore, do you have any idea of where this is?" Fenix asked anxiously, her brow furrowing closer together as she memorized the landscape.

    It was Draco that had answered her. "I’ve been there before..." Draco said in a hushed voice. "But... but," he stuttered and the image of the house vanished. The glow faded and they froze in their places for a moment. "There had been no one living there... since the Leridiens had died a long time ago. Well... if what my father had told me was true."

    Fenix released the pentacle and she sat tiredly on the floor. Harry was looking thoughtfully at Draco. He finally questioned his oathbrother. "So you were with your father then?" At his oathbrother’s nod, Harry continued. "Then what were you doing on property that’s not yours?"

    Draco bit his lower lip as he struggled to remember. He knew he was still a toddler and he was alone with his father. "I was with Father because he wanted to show me something so I followed him, without Mother’s knowledge I think. Father wanted to buy the estate and hand it down to me when I’m of age but he couldn’t contact those who were taking care of the mansion then. At first, I was quite surprised that my father wanted to buy a house that had been standing for centuries and well... antique," Draco paused, taking a moment to rake his hair back. "It was until both of us slipped into the back of the house when I finally understood why Father had wanted that estate. The woods were... magical." Draco knew that one word was not enough to describe the feeling he had when he first drank in the magical view.

    Sirius looked somberly at the Slytherin and spoke softly. "Is there any way you could lead us there?" The Black felt disappointment washing him in waves when Draco shook his head.

    "I don’t remember how Father brought me there. It is in an Unplottable area but..." Draco’s voice trailed off.

    Dumbledore peered intently at the Slytherin. He knew that something of the sort would eventually happen but he had not expected that the Potions Master would be the target. "Go on Draco," the Headmaster prodded gently.

    Draco was looking at Harry in a peculiar manner and the latter shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Green-Eyes. Do you feel the uniqueness of Fenix’s home?" Harry, not quite sure of what his oathbrother was asking him, did not answer. Draco elaborated the question further. "If you were to be in somewhere other than here, would you be able to find this place without using a map?"

    Harry frowned and thought deeply. He finally saw where the conversation was taking him and he nodded his head with the Gryffindor-like confidence. "I think I would be able to match the ‘feeling’ from your memory to the earth energy. Even if the intensity of the ‘feeling’ had disintegrated with time, there should be some remnants lingering. That would be more than enough for me."

    Remus let out his breath slowly. Finally, he thought to himself. Finally, we’re heading somewhere. The werewolf stepped forward, catching Fenix’s hand as she stood up. They wrapped their fingers around each other. Fenix gave him a small smile at his thoughtfulness to comfort her. She would have been at a loss if she was given to experience this situation on her own. But she have Sirius and her partner with her. Draco was speaking again but Fenix wasn’t really paying attention to him. Her back was tingling painfully and she felt like she was suffering burns all over her body.

    "Fenix and I should be able to go there with Green-Eyes guiding us," Draco said.

    "Is it possible if we come along?" Sirius asked his godson and Harry looked at him in surprise.

    "Why do you want to?"

    "Just answer my question will you?" Sirius grumbled and Harry nodded.

    They heard Fenix sucking on her breath, her eyes losing their focus as unbearable pain traveled in her body. : Harry, when you meet that perverted, insane maniac, stick a few knives in for me? : she requested, her mindvoice was accompanied with disgust and anger.

    : What is Voldemort doing? What is Voldemort doing to Severus? : Sirius had approached her so fast that she was left to look blurrily at his face when he had grabbed her shoulders. Remus growled at him but Sirius ignored his best friend for the moment.

    : He wants to... trying to... break Sev, : she answered flatly, her pupils dilating again and again.

    Draco opened his mouth to speak but Cadriel shook his head, clasping the boy’s shoulder in a gesture of sympathy and comfort. Draco wanted to get his godfather out of Voldemort’s hands now. He did not want to think if something remotely similar such as his father’s relationship with the Dark Lord, was happening to the finest Potions Master in the whole wizarding world. Draco closed his eyes and tried to find his inner peace.

    : Thank you Cadriel, : the Slytherin said simply, once he was calm. Then to the rest, "I guess we’ll move out at night. This is how long I’ll let that wizard hold on to my godfather." Then he exited out of the workroom to go into his bedroom.

    Harry stared at the opened door for a moment before he swiftly followed in his oathbrother’s wake. In silent agreement, the oathbrothers went into Harry’s bedroom and there they had stayed, sleeping next to each other until Aelwyn woke them up with the aroma of their lunch.

    Fenix, Sirius and Remus once again resumed the position they had not fulfilled for weeks. Fenix’s face was against the werewolf’s chest while both of them had wrapped their arms around her. She was trying to sleep; she knew from the steady beating of the two hearts that Remus and Sirius were already asleep. Flashes of darkness, cracks of leather and the occasional glint of metal disturbed her mind.

    : Sev? Sev? : Fenix tried to contact him but it’s either that the place he was in was so severely shielded or he was out of her range. : Please Sev. Hold on... We’ll be coming for you. I promised you. I don’t want to break that promise. :

**********

    He shivered and froze when his involuntary movement caused his back to spasm with agony. His left shoulder was bleeding steadily but luckily for him, the lashings that he had received had dulled the pain when Voldemort buried a knife. His eyes were still closed but he knew that magical lights had appeared to brighten the room. Not that bright though, but just enough light for the Death Eaters to watch the Master create a master piece out of a Master.

    "Where is Lucius?" Voldemort questioned his followers in a husky voice. "Hmmm... I guess he is in the library. Mulciber, fetch him. I think both of us should enjoy this before the rescue team manages to find him. I want them to watch him die by my hands. And I want them to know that he is too far gone that not even the Fire Master would successfully bring him back to the living."

    The group parted to let the specialist through and they watched Voldemort circling around Snape like a shark on the hunt. Voldemort placed the bloodied knife in his hand onto the table and took up the whip again.

    Snape still held his eyes close, breathing evenly and regained his cool composure, although that was quite dexterous under the circumstances he was in. He had been awakened by a chorus of voices echoing deeply in his mind and he had no idea if he should be thankful to those that had begun to care for him. Snape tried not to flinch as his blood trickled slowly down his side and collected at the back of his knee.

    "Open your eyes, Severus. I know you’re awake," Voldemort whispered in his ear.

    Snape was too overwhelmed with pain to even care anymore. He sneered and turned his head slightly to stare at Voldemort’s dark amber eyes. Anger flashed in them and the Dark Lord snarled at the Potions Master’s impudence. The back of Voldemort’s hand struck solidly on his cheek and Snape screamed mindlessly when Voldemort kicked brutally on his damaged shoulder.

    "Your screams are music to my ears, Severus. You should sing more for me," Voldemort whispered huskily. "Don’t worry. I’m not going to break through your mind. I can’t. You managed to block that from me. But there are other ways for me to do it. Imagine what will happen if I get my hands on Potter... or Lucius’s progeny... Better, if I get Fenix again."

    "Don’t utter her name. It’s a blasphemy for you. Even the immortal bird has to die now and then and all of us know it. Except you," Snape said harshly, his eyes blinking away the tears that had formed involuntarily.

    Lucius had arrived five minutes ago, not aware that Mulciber had been sent to fetch him. His stomach rolled about as he watched Snape, kneeling and bloodied and was about to become an experimental object under Voldemort’s hands. Just as well that he does not think of Severus that way or Draco will lose his godfather forever. Damn you Severus. Why must you get caught by him of all your enemies? Voldemort finally realized that he was there and beckoned him to come closer. The Malfoy feigned an interested expression as he approached his Master, thinking of how he should proceed with his plan.

**********

    The Phoenix soared across the sky, ignoring the stupefied looks of the sky-watchers below her as she was guided by The Boy Who Lived. The mansion that had caught their interest was surrounded by dense greenery and they were reaching their goal. The passengers inside the Phoenix became puzzled when she skirted away from the house and Fenix heard Sirius cursing at her.

    : Oathsib, be silent. I’m trying to concentrate! : she snapped. She searched for the ‘lock’ of the wards surrounding the mansion and sent a bolt of energy into it. The wards shattered at the energy overload.

    Voldemort’s followers boiled out of the stronghold to make their stand and were met readily by the Headmaster, Aberforth and Michelle. Fenix was about to resume her human form when she heard the screams of challenges and met the talons of a pair of eagles before they managed to skewer both Harry and his oathbrother. The three Ancients disappeared as the Phoenix pushed the pair of eagles upwards into the sky.

    Knowing that the mansion was now vulnerable to attack, Harry quickly merged with the Dragon and sleek, black fire blasted its way through the house, clearing the path for Dumbledore. The other wizards and the elves that came were given the task of securing the area.

**********

    From the moment that the Dark Lord felt the shattering of the wards, he knew that playtime was over. He seethed with anger, both at the interruption and with the way that Snape’s mark simply refused to be disfigured. Voldemort was about to plunge the knife into Snape and Mulciber was more than ready to cast the Cruciatus Curse to amplify the pain when Lucius’s lustful eyes turned clear. It was quickly replaced by blazoning hatred and he disarmed Voldemort. The spell took the Dark Lord by surprised and he was flung back against the wall. Mulciber had quickly changed the spell and Lucius with the mark of a true wizard, had trapped Mulciber and the Killing Curse in a shield. The sudden fray caused panic to spread in the room and most bolted out of the confinements of the cellar. However, the rest of the Death Eaters quickly regrouped themselves and quickly advanced towards Malfoy and the Potions Master.

    "You’re a bloody fool, Lucius," Snape croaked out.

    "Shut up, Severus," Lucius grated, concentrating on the wizards approaching them.

    Voldemort was trembling with anger and he picked up the knives that had been scattered to the floor. Grasping one hilt, he stared furiously at his servant. Voldemort’s eyes widened for a moment when he saw Snape’s lips began to move and a shield was suddenly erected over the outnumbered wizards. Taking a chance, Voldemort cast a spell on the blade before he threw it. The sharp projectile sliced the air but it missed Lucius’s heart. Instead, it was buried deep on his servant’s shoulder but the spell would work just fine. Lucius gasped, fell onto his knees and unintentionally fell across Snape’s thighs. The Potions Master blacked out and the shield that had been protecting both of them disappeared.

    Voldemort was about to cast the same spell on Snape and the Death Eaters had bellowed the chanting of the Killing Curse as one when they were blinded by brilliant blue fire and were almost crushed by sleek darkness.

    Voldemort gasped, clutching his head that was throbbing painfully and willed his eyes to clear. Someone stood protectively before the two injured wizards. It was a boy with shoulder-length, silver-blond hair, wearing a simple white T-shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans. A glint of silver and blue caught the Dark Lord’s eyes. His eyes focusing keenly, he saw that it was a bracelet, with a burning image of the Phoenix engraved into it.

    "Come any closer, I will kill you," Draco threatened in a cool voice, seemingly unconcerned that there was one Dark Sorcerer present in the same room with him. Draco slowly released the catch of the bracelet and casually placed it directly onto Snape’s left forearm. The older Malfoy blacked out as the magic of both Dragon and Phoenix began to counteract with the spell that had been embedded into his body and Snape was released from the chains. The Potions Master was trying to get Lucius to sit up but finally gave up, letting the unconscious wizard rest on his thighs. His godson had already stepped out of the shield, which was held strong by the boy himself and the magical properties of the bracelet that Fenix had created for him for his birthday.

    "You’re just a boy to make such threats to us!" one Death Eater said defiantly.

    Draco raised one thin eyebrow at the speaker. "I don’t think so... considering the many crooks that I had made friends with over the year. And be warned: I am a Slytherin," Draco said in a bored voice.

    The Dark Lord slowly turned and finally met the cold, impassive emerald eyes that he had hunted for years. Voldemort strangled when something gripped him hard. The Boy Who Lived had taken Voldemort off to their own dueling space.

**********

~ Chapter 53: Duels ~

At the Burrow.

It had been an hour since dinner had been laid out for the Weasley family. It had been fifty-two minutes ago when Mr. Weasley, Percy and Bill had Apparated home together. It had been forty-nine minutes ago when the three had just sat down without any kind of greetings for the rest of the family members. It had been forty-four minutes ago when Mrs. Weasley had looked anxiously at her husband and the twins had exchanged puzzled glances with Charlie and their two younger siblings. It had been thirty-nine minutes ago when Mr. Weasley had said gently to his wife that Snape had been kidnaped two days ago by Voldemort’s henchmen.

    Mrs. Weasley’s eyes had gone wide and Ginny had given a horrified gasp. Ron simply looked stunned. It was thirty-three minutes ago when Bill had told the rest that Dumbledore, Aberforth, Moody and several others had gone on to Fenix’s house earlier that morning. It was four minutes later when Mrs. Weasley finally understood what her husband had been trying to inform her.

    Thirty-one minutes had passed and the Weasleys were still silent, their dinner forgotten. It was two minutes later when Mrs. Weasley finally broke the unbearable silence. Her face was quite pale, her eyes filled with fear as she stared at her husband.

    "They will be all right, won’t they?" she asked softly, looking pleadingly at her husband.

    "I hope so Molly. I hope so..." her husband answered as he got up to give his wife a reassuring hug. It was then when the Grangers suddenly appeared.

    Not really caring if Mrs. Weasley would be offended by her affectionate gesture, Hermione fled into Ron’s arms and hugged him tightly. The adults exchanged somber greetings and Mrs. Weasley looked at Mrs. Granger in confusion when Hermione’s mother handed her a piece of paper. It turned out to be a letter from the oathbrothers. Although it was addressed to Hermione alone, the two boys had expected her to circulate it.

    "We just received the mail this afternoon," Mrs. Granger spoke softly. "We would have come here sooner--"

    She was quickly interrupted by her husband who spoke in a weary voice. "– If we had not been so shocked by the news."

    "So, what did they say?" Ginny asked in a small voice, with Fred placing an arm around her small shoulders.

    Mrs. Weasley began to read the letter in a monotonous voice, her brain not really registering the words that she was reading aloud.

    "Crazy git," Ron mumbled, still holding Hermione. "He tells us to stay out of trouble and then says that we might be jumped on by lunatics." His mother continued from where she had stopped.

    The dining room fell silent once more and Mrs. Weasley carefully placed the letter on the table, staring avidly at it.

    "Bloody hell," Ron muttered.

    "So..." Meridien the Sylph called into the kitchen. "Any requests?"

    "Make Voldemort feel extremely bizarre!" blurted the twins, Ron and Ginny.

    "Added. More?" the Sylph asked again.

    Bill, Charlie and Hermione’s parents smiled evilly. "Death comes for him."

    "Added," the Sylph responded and went to hover in front of Hermione. "No request from you?"

    "The Silver Wheel. I want Fenix to send him there," Hermione whispered, with a stony expression on her face. "I’m not going to worry much about Harry, but I want Fenix to make sure that Voldemort won’t be able to be revived no matter what circumstances."

    "Done." The Sylph disappeared to pass the messages to the other Sylphs.

**********

    Even at such close quarters, Draco was calm and his mind was strangely clear. His eyes flickered steadily with dark emerald fire as bursts of white light shoots out from the tip to his wand and then collided with the Death Eaters that he had targeted.

    Narcissa was looking at the young man with disbelief. Although the adults were larger in numbers and they were certainly more experienced in magic than he, they couldn’t even disarm the boy with the simple but effective ‘Expelliarmus’. Narcissa watched Draco angrily, not quite believing that Lucius had turned treacherous to Voldemort. Draco was still standing protectively before his ‘fathers’, defiance showing clearly on his face and his ethereal eyes.

    Draco was just playing with the followers that wanted him, his father and godfather dead. But Draco had set up some codes of general ethics (for now) that he would not kill at such a young age in the calculative manner that Fenix was capable of. So he was content to deliver major but non-life threatening blows to the opponents. Draco dimly heard his father’s gasps of agony and he noticed that Lucius’s breathing had turned irregular. Draco knew that the bracelet Fenix had made for him held a bit of Healing magic and Snape by now had recovered enough to move a little.

    While Draco was concentrating on the Death Eaters that kept coming for them, the Potions Master had ignored his own injuries (especially his injured shoulder) to remove the knife that was buried deeply in Lucius’s back. He did not have his wand. Voldemort had probably destroyed it or something but it didn’t matter to Snape now. The Potions Master was almost about to put pressure on the wound using his own hands when something pushed him away.

    :It’s me, : Krill’s deep mindvoice resonated heavily in Snape’s mind. Then relief quickly turned into alarm when the Salamander began to yell extremely vile things in Snape’s mind. He vaguely made out that Voldemort had successfully managed to cast some sort of a death spell in Lucius’s body. It was Snape’s turn to curse and he informed his godson who was now flicking spells with one hand while his mind worked to insinuate impressions in their minds. Some Death Eaters bolted out of the cellar, screaming at the top of their lungs.

    After a moment of consideration, Draco divided some energy into his father to stabilize the man’s condition while he dealt with three demons that had been summoned by Narcissa and several others. The cellar stank with the scent of rotten things and Draco’s nose itched uncomfortably. The Slytherin wished he hadn’t examined the demons carefully because they were extremely rude in terms of appearance. He couldn’t help snarling in disgust as he watched the creatures trying to claw their way in through his shields.

    Knowing that more demons would probably be summoned and that the others might be caught unaware, Draco made a quick decision to Apparate out of the cellar. He had not taken the test much less getting the license but he and Harry had been studying that ever since they had taken residence in Fenix’s house. He was greatly relieved when he found that he had Teleported his ‘fathers’ safely into Fenix’s house. It seemed that the Elven Lord had been waiting for the injured and Draco watched as Evangiana and her betrothed, the computer whiz, Cathal stepped forward to help.

    Snape was looking at Giana with apprehension and she chuckled warmly. : Don’t look at me like that. I’m well out of your reach now. Happily betrothed, Sev, : her eyes twinkled as she used the nick that Fenix had tagged the Potions Master with.

    Snape’s face cleared, obviously relieved that he would not be entangling himself in romances. The other elves and Giselle came forward, and Giselle began bossing the elves around, much to Giana’s amusement.

    Draco left them and reappeared in the cellar. Amazingly, it hadn’t occurred to Narcissa ti let the demons go and create chaos elsewhere. Draco flexed his muscles a bit. The knowledge that no one was there to reprimand him for his actions made him feel even more daring. Not to mention that he wanted to experiment with his powers a little. Draco waved his wand and Narcissa was blasted off with a strong stupefaction charm. Transforming himself, Draco engulfed the demons, and began purifying the Unclean beings to harmless dust. Once the demons were out of the picture, Draco paid more attention to the Death Eaters that were looking at him with uncertainty. A smile began to form on Draco’s face and it wasn’t pretty to look at.

**********

    The Phoenix bit down on the shoulder of the smaller eagle and then she herself was bruised on her side as fisted talons knocked her off. The fight had abruptly changed into a contest of physical strength and tactics rather than simply magic. The three Ancients were fighting off in another dimension that Damien had created inside the forest, to prevent any kind of interruption. The only escape route out of that dimension (for Fenix at least) will be opened if Fenix managed to kill the creator of the place.

    Inside, Fenix was troubled. She did not really want to kill her own kind, but she was uncertain. They were fighting too seriously and it was her instinct to fight back and survive. Damnation... I have to make up my mind soon... She had never dueled using her own form for long periods of time and it was an exhilarating experience. The strange vibrations in the surrounding alerted her that the twins were about to use magic on her.

    She felt the bigger of the two began to tear her outer defenses brutally, probably trying to find the core that held her life. She was then distracted by the smaller eagle who had created another ‘self’ but only that the Phoenix was of red flames.

    All right... Bloody hell... Now I have to deal with another me. Just great. My night couldn’t get any better... Fenix skillfully dodged a talon but that did not prevent the other Phoenix from sinking its razor sharp teeth around her neck. If Fenix had been in her human form, she was more than likely to be blinded by the strong waves of magical energy coursing through her mind and body. She cried out in pain, automatically clenching her talons on one wing. Fenix grew increasingly tired when the three began to attack her furiously.

    The Red Phoenix was certainly doing much more damage than the other two Ancients and Fenix surmised that if she left the situation as it is, she’ll be in trouble. BIG trouble. She had to find ways to neutralize the other Phoenix. She dropped her shields and the two eagles scattered, horribly startled by the burning inferno. Then Damien belatedly realized why she had all those shields in the first place. It did not come across his mind that the shields were actually protecting them than the other way around. She was a being of Fire, the strongest of all Elements. The Red Phoenix was just an imitation; it didn’t burn the way Fenix did. Damien’s reflexes had somehow slowed as he watched the fiery blue Phoenix gain height and then plunged to take the Red Phoenix down. Sharp, fiery talons pierced through the imitation easily, Fire and Magic had begun to spread quickly inside the imitation. Since Damien was still linked to his creation, he was infected too. Raw power spread throughout his body like a neurotoxin, quickly paralyzing him.

    One eagle disappeared from the battle zone and so did the dimension. Isaac took some time to process what had just occurred and blinding rage consumed the Ancient. He shrieked and rushed for Fenix. He had been watching how she had killed the imitation and he guessed that her life source should be in the same general area. His bigger build provided him with an advantage and the Phoenix squirmed against his vicelike grip. Isaac delivered his power of destruction directly into her chest, not caring that her Fire was scorching him painfully.

    Rational thoughts disappeared as killing and survival instincts took over. Fenix wasn’t sure what had happened. She only knew that she was desperate to live, unwilling to let go now that she had found her mate. If she happens to get eliminated now, there was no way that she would be returning to the world. She suspected that she might have cheated, using her gifts as a Healer and an Empath. However, she still had no idea of how Isaac died in her hands– talons to be precise. The battle ended, and Phoenix descended to the ground. Seconds later, Fenix, mussed, bloodied, and disheveled sat tiredly against a tree, looking at the dead twins in a dazed manner. She was horrified by what she had done and her mental, desperate cries brought her werewolf running to her.

    The urgency of her cries made Remus left the body to Jaheera and Moody took his place so that he could go to her. One wizard tried to stop him but Remus’s hand flickered so quickly that the spell hit the wizard’s neck and snapped with a sickening sound. His run slowed to a walk as he saw the Fire Master. In the dim moonlight, he saw her shoulders trembling with grief but her eyes were surprisingly clear. She’s in shock, he thought to himself. He didn’t let go of his wand, watching the surroundings carefully as he held her.

    She still had not stopped trembling as they watched the bodies of the Ancients began to turn into dim white sparkles, slowly evaporating into the air. Remus had something important to tell her, but he feared that the news might break her heart if she hears the news now. So the werewolf kept his silence, holding her, caressing her mind with wordless comforting thoughts, still watching the forest warily.

**********

    "Crucio!" Voldemort roared as Harry shouted a Shield Charm and the spell bounded off harmlessly. While Fenix had been fighting off the two Ancients, the two wizards were still flinging spells at each other.

    Harry had brought the other wizard to his own world, a world that was only filled with white light. Harry was working on the Dark Lord until Voldemort became slightly crazed by his annoying intent of just defending himself against Voldemort’s attacks.

    "Stupefy!" Harry’s young voice echoed in the room eerily.

    By now, Voldemort was incoherent with rage. As the words ‘Avada Kedavra’ left his mouth, his mind willed several numerous chains to appear. They wrapped around Harry’s tall and slender form, and began to contract. Harry saw stars for a moment and fought off the wave of dizziness that arose from the lack of air. He knew that at least several of his ribs were either cracked or broken. The Killing Curse was negated quickly by a jet of blue light that Harry threw, and just in time. Harry did not care to experiment if the curse would in the end kill Voldemort. Harry paled as Voldemort commanded the chains to bind him much harder and Harry’s wand dropped to the floor.

    Voldemort was making hissing noises and the next thought that flashed into his mind was ‘Bloody hell’. Vipers were entangled all around him and he wondered what he should do to get himself out of that. Harry managed to steal a glance at Voldemort. The Dark Lord was looking at him and Harry felt a sickening feeling at the pit of his stomach as he watched Voldemort’s face broke out into a cruel, insane smile.

    "You’re just a boy. A Gryffindor boy with no sense. But I... I am a sorcerer. The greatest," Voldemort whispered, the smile not quite dying from his face.

    Harry took a deep breath to calm his nerves and without thinking, he had actually answered the Dark Lord. "Whatever."

    To Voldemort’s profound amazement, the vipers dropped to the floor after finding themselves clutching at nothing but empty air. Then he saw Harry standing five feet away from the pool of vipers. Then he saw another Harry. And another. Voldemort frowned. The boy couldn’t have created illusions at such a short notice, Voldemort thought incredulously.

    The Dark Lord quickly muttered something in Norse and an illusion of Harry disappeared as Voldemort’s spell hit the image. Harry’s eyes narrowed at Voldemort’s tired but quick response. And here I was wishing that he’s getting tired. Harry reappeared behind the Dark Lord’s back but Voldemort did not notice him, so intent on blasting of each of Harry’s illusions. Harry ignored his forgotten wand for a moment and he reached out to yank Voldemort’s mind painfully. That caught the Dark Lord off-guard and Voldemort let out a strangled shriek.

    Voldemort muffled his screams as his mind exploded painfully, like as if someone was piercing him repeated with a cruel meat-hook. Harry calmly summoned his wand as he watched Voldemort fighting an internal battle. Out of the blue, Voldemort whipped his wand out and a spell sent Harry flying to land on his back. "Crucio!" Voldemort shouted furiously. He seemed to have gotten his control back and was already– though a trifle shakily– getting up to his feet.

    Harry still lay flat, thoroughly winded, gasping for breath and his eyes watered. His glasses had disappeared somewhere and he cursed vehemently. He felt his insides burn, and his heart constricted painfully then gave a mental curse at himself for getting too agitated. Then he cursed again when Voldemort hit him with another Cruciatus. If his ribs had only cracked, they were certainly in a more serious state now. Harry began to build shields to protect himself for as long as he needed to catch his breath. The pain had begun to intensify and Harry fought with himself. He did not want to writhe on the ground, portraying his agony, not with Voldemort watching.

    Harry slowly pushed himself off the ground and got up to his feet with great difficulty. I hate being short-sighted... Although the scene about him was blurry, he managed to stare directly into Voldemort’s eyes. Harry took a deep breath and felt the earth energy about him, along with the ancient magic that had been cultivated by the no-longer present Leridiens, slowly entered and suffused him. That numbed the pain that was wrought by the Cruciatus curse and Harry felt that he was at least able to breathe without difficulty.

    "Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort launched the spell as he took several steps forward. The curse fragmented as it hit the shield.

    Quite suddenly, the world they were in began to shrink and Voldemort was closed in with Harry. Both of them were within touching distance and the Dark Lord was more than just surprised by that. "I would have done this months ago," Harry said in a soft voice as he raised both hands to rest gently on Voldemort’s shoulders. Once again, Voldemort was paralyzed by something and he felt that he should have recognized the touch but it eluded him. The Dark Lord was still clueless that it had been Harry who had drained him of his powers those months ago. "But I wasn’t really there at that time so I had to leave you be," Harry murmured and dimly heard the sudden noise when Voldemort’s wand dropped. They stared at each other for a long time, even if Harry’s eyesight were taking the fun out of it.

    Minutes passed and Harry felt Dumbledore’s presence although Harry couldn’t see him. Then Sirius was there and so was his oathbrother. Harry waited patiently. Remus came in, carrying a weakened Fenix. That worried Harry a bit but she assured him via mindspeech that she was up to the task. Harry finally closed his eyes and felt Voldemort’s furious gaze upon his eyelids. Harry lost his substantial form, becoming a cloud of hazy, white cloud and slowly curled about Voldemort.

    No one could have prepared what happened next. It felt like the world had somehow dropped and their stomachs lurched uncomfortably. Voldemort’s screams were scary, booming over and over again. The Dark Lord had regained control of his body and was trying to escape the cloud that was Harry. Slowly, Voldemort’s heart stopped beating and he finally stopped struggling. The body was slowly disintegrating and a smoky apparition began to emerge from the spot where Voldemort had died. It was Fenix’s turn to move.

**********

    The apparition became more visible and Fenix was about to lose herself in her other form when she was firmly stopped by three beings.

    "You’re tired, Fenix. Not much reserves left in you. I doubt your partner will be pleased if you become a vegetable for the next six months or so," Damien said lightly and Fenix stared at him, stunned beyond words.

    "Leave him to us. We’re heading in the same direction anyway," Isaac agreed as he reined in Voldemort’s writhing soul. He made a clucking sound at the Dark Lord. "Death isn’t so bad you know but I doubt you’ll understand my eagerness."

    The third person with the Ancients tilted his head solemnly at the Fire Master but she didn’t return the greeting. Harry had returned as himself and sat gingerly on the cold marble floor, hands carefully cradling his chest. The third man bent down toward Harry and handed the glasses and wand to Harry. Once Harry’s eyes focused, he and the stranger stared for a long time before the stranger gave him a nod and smiled. Harry returned it and watched the three with the Dark Lord disappear into nothingness.

**********

    Death watched the twins holding the Dark Lord tightly. Death wondered, why is he so afraid of me? I can’t be that horrible. Right? Death was uncertain as he watched Tom Marvolo Riddle struggling in the grasp of the twins.

    "Isaac, will you hand him over to me?" Death requested politely and Damien narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

    "We will, but don’t you dare let this guy slip off from your hands. The world has enough tyrants to maintain the balance but we don’t have to complicate matters by letting him go to join the crowd," the older twin replied. His voice sounded uncertain but he released his hold and Damien followed several seconds later.

    Voldemort stood still as the twins walked off, wondering just who the third person was. Damien looked back to stare penetratingly at Death, who was scrutinizing the Dark Lord carefully. The twins had finally reached the edge of the cliff and looked down. They took a deep breath and holding each other’s hand, they let themselves fall into the slowly turning vortex.

    Voldemort wanted to run but somehow, Death’s brooding gaze prevented him from doing so. "You’ve created so many chaos while you lived, Marvolo. And you had also managed to scramble the course of Time as well," Death murmured quietly into the darkness. "Why are you afraid of me?" Death whispered, taking several slow steps to get closer to the Dark Lord.

    "I’m afraid of no one!" Voldemort hissed, stepping back from Death unconsciously.

    "Is that so?" Death asked mildly. "Then what are you afraid of?"

    Voldemort frowned then snarled at him but Death’s eyes seemed to have seen the truth.

    "Ah... is that it? You want to be dominant, to continue on living. You’re afraid of dying. Thus you are afraid of me," Death stated in a satisfied voice. "Now don’t feel ashamed. Everyone fears me at one point or another. Nevertheless, it feels good that I’m appreciated. Wish that the one named Fenix would appreciate me a little more," Death pouted and skillfully took Voldemort’s hand in his. "But she comes in and out like it’s routine." Death suddenly stopped in his tracks, giving Voldemort a sidelong glance. "You’re a cold person, aren’t you? I thought I was the coldest male in town but it seems that you had surpassed me," Death commented then tugged Voldemort to keep up with the pace.

    They kept on walking until they came to the edge of the cliff. Death gave a small smile. "You don’t understand what I am I can tell."

    Naturally, Voldemort looked down and was hypnotized by the slow movement of the silver whirlpool at the bottom of the abyss. Death was speaking again, "Sorry lad, but it’s not quite time yet. Why don’t you step along that path there and see where it leads? I’ll be waiting here for you," Death spoke gently and prodded Voldemort to move.

    The Dark Lord was no longer in control of his body and he walked on the path then found himself sealed inside a vast gray room. He heard voices. So many voices that they drowned out each other and Voldemort could not make out a single word. Then a warm hand curled at the back of his neck and tightened steadily. Voldemort struggled briefly but stopped when he saw the face. A boy Voldemort had killed on the day that he had been resurrected.

    "There are worse things than Death himself," Cedric breathed into the Dark Lord’s ear. "Welcome to the realm of Judgment, Lord Voldemort. We have been waiting for you for quite some time," Cedric whispered silkily.

    Terror. Horror. Fear. Those emotions flashed across Voldemort’s face. There were so many of them. Victims that he was responsible for and he couldn’t run. He couldn’t hide. Droning filled his mind and he screamed, but no sound came from his throat.

**********

    "You all right, Green-Eyes?" Draco asked his oathbrother, his silver eyes darkening with grim concern.

    "Yeah. Sirius?" Harry looked around for his godfather and was slightly worried when Sirius ambled forward. The wizard was limping slightly and Harry saw that one side of his face was bruised, looking thoroughly walloped.

    "I’m here. Don’t worry. I’m seriously all right," his godfather answered then slowly ran his fingers through the boy’s dark, tousled hair. "But what about you?"

    "Broken ribs and Cruciatus... coming full force soon," Harry answered smiling a little. "But other than that, I think I’ll live to see another year."

    "Right you are boy," Moody congratulated although Harry secretly wished they would stop calling him a kid. Dumbledore and the rest looked relieved but the elves looked strangely somber.

    "Fenix?" Remus whispered and the Fire Master tilted her head up to look tiredly at him. "Please, you have to come," the werewolf said softly. Fenix stared at him for a moment, and kept staring at him even as he lifted her once again.

    Harry urged his godfather to help him up, feeling slightly alarmed by the werewolf’s graveness. : Casualties? : Harry asked, his throat suddenly went dry at the thought of it. Draco’s lips tightened and he nodded once. Harry gulped and they silently followed Dumbledore out of the mansion.

    The building looked as if it had seriously undergone a world war. Death Eaters were sprawled unconscious everywhere, a few of them dead. Their backup had already arrived, mainly made up of the members of the Order, Aurors and the Ministry. They’re in charge of putting Voldemort’s cronies into prison, or a mental institute if required.

    Harry supported both by his oathbrother and godfather, walked slowly, trying to minimize his own movements. They were finally free from the shelter of the mansion and they were walking toward the wood. It was then, under the darkness of night and several small hovering mage lights that he saw Fenix. She was sitting on the ground, stroking the head slowly. Her eyes were blank and her face was masked, although she was crying. Remus made no move to comfort her; he just stood behind her back and watched. Harry frantically studied the faces of the elves but he couldn’t tell who was missing from the group.

    When Harry got close enough to identify whom, it was that was lying on Fenix’s lap, it felt as if he had been thrown off from his broom from a great height. Harry stopped and Draco could feel his shock. "Aldren..." his voice trailed off.

    "We tried to sa–" someone spoke up but Fenix cut him off quickly.

    "Please... I don’t want to hear it..." the Fire Master choked back a sob.

    "We’ll have to Gate," Cadriel said in a soft voice as he stood up. He had been kneeling at Aldren’s side ever since the elf went down. The other elves nodded their agreement.

    : Oathsib, : Fenix called Sirius urgently and Harry’s godfather carefully let go of Harry’s waist. Sirius quickly went to his oathsister and pulled her close, though he was careful not to dislodge Aldren from her lap. Harry saw that his godfather’s face was tense, strangely looking as if the wizard was trying to hold back his tears.

    Both the oathbrothers backed away from the view and Draco guided Harry to the shelter of an oak tree. Both sank to the ground carefully and leaned against each other for comfort. Both felt totally drained and Draco berated himself for using his powers too excessively.

    : Well, at least this time we know Voldemort’s done in for good, : Draco said gravely. Harry could only nod to that sentiment.

    : How did Aldren... : Harry couldn’t force the words out of his mouth so he kept his mouth shut and waited for his oathbrother to answer him.

    : Aldren was cut off from the rest and he was rather outnumbered. But I kept having the feeling that it was deliberate, coming from the Death Eaters. One of them had cast the same spell that Voldemort used to charm a knife and then Voldemort had thrown the knife at my father, : Draco said quietly. : A life-energy draining spell as well as a way to shut down the system. But Aldren had been struck at his heart. At least it was a quick death. Aldren was dead even before he fell to the ground. :

    Harry stared at his oathbrother, feeling a little disturbed by the Slytherin’s emotionless voice. : Drake? :

    : It also means that my father won’t live for long. There’s no way to counteract that spell. : Draco closed his eyes and let his head rest on Harry’s shoulder. Harry’s arm came up automatically to hold his oathbrother and rested his cheek against the blond’s hair. They sat together in silence, waiting for the elves to call them when they’re ready to move.

**********

    Fenix was roaming the woods behind her house silently with her two wolves. Aldren was safely buried in the Grove last night and Fenix was just trying to pull herself out of depression. When they had returned home, Derian had been the first person to greet them. He took Aldren’s death quite calmly and so did Mineif, but their sister was devastated. She had taken off, still in tears and Cathal and several of the elves had followed her, just to make sure that she would be all right.

    Fenix stopped thinking, just feeling the gentle warmth of the sun and the scent of summer about her. She sighed and turned back toward the direction of her house. Wind and Silver were silent most of the time and Fenix felt grateful to them. Draco was waiting for her by the kitchen door, his eyes gazed absently at the herb garden.

    Seeing him, Fenix gave him a warm smile and returned the hug he gave her. His eyes searched her face carefully and softly asked the Fire Master, "Feeling better?"

    Fenix gave him a sad smile before she answered him. "I don’t know Drake. I’m feeling too stoned to react properly. But what about you?"

    : I’m not handling it well either, : he answered her truthfully. : Mineif says that Father doesn’t have much time. :

    : Then all the more you should be with him, even though he’s sleeping, : Fenix said softly and Draco looked at her contemplatively.

    Fenix gazed at him steadily and answered simply. : Because he is your father, who loves you. : She took his hand and gently squeezed it. Uncertainty rippled through the silver depths and the sight of the Elven Lord standing at the bottom of the stairs made him tremble.

    "There’s nothing I could do for him, young one. Save for numbing his pain," Mineif spoke in an apologetic voice. Aldren’s death had not stopped him from treating Lucius, but he was grateful that there was at least something he could distract himself with. Draco let out a sigh which he hadn’t realized that he had been holding and quickly trotted up the stairs.

    "Mineif. I– " But the Elven Lord swiftly placed one long, graceful finger upon her lips, shaking his head slightly.

    "What’s done is done. Life goes on," Mineif whispered and Fenix let herself be embraced by the elf. "You should visit ‘Sev’. He’s complaining to Sirius about why you have not been coming to check up on him."

    "I certainly don’t believe that he wants me to get ‘mothering’ now," Fenix muttered darkly under her breath and pushed the Elven Lord to the living room, where his godson was waiting for his daily shoulder-ride. Fenix went up the stairs at a more sedate pace and stopped at the bedroom where Lucius was sleeping soundly. She saw Draco just sitting beside the bed, holding his father’s hand and just stared at his father’s face. She took a moment to examine Lucius from the door. The man was considerably paler and he had lost a lot of weight. She sighed, wishing that she could ease Draco’s pain but unable to.

    Next, she stopped at Harry’s bedroom. : Harry? : she called out softly and he opened the door. She noticed that his eyes were red and puffy and he definitely looked like he hadn’t slept last night. : Lad, you should rest, : Fenix said as she tentatively touched his bandaged-covered ribs.

    : I know but I just felt that I should let it all go, : Harry lied smoothly. Well, he didn’t really lie to her. Yes, he had been crying for years of anxiousness but he had also cried when his parents visited him for the last time. The reason as to why his parents had been lingering around had suddenly become very clear that Harry was surprised that he had not guessed it himself. Now, Voldemort was no longer a factor of their lives and his parents were free to move on.

    : I’m visiting your Potions Master. Coming? : Fenix asked, not noticing that Harry had wandered off in the space of his mind.

    Harry smiled and said, "Why not?"

    The two of them walked to the end of the corridor, to Fenix’s bedroom to be exact. That was where Giselle had placed the Potions Master. Snape smiled when he saw who it was peering into the room. Fenix swiftly made her way to give Sirius a kiss and a hug before she gave Remus a full-blown kiss that made the werewolf blush painfully with embarrassment. Then she moved on to Snape, a little surprised that the Potions Master was wearing almost next to nothing except for his underpants and the bandages all over his body.

    "You see the truth now?" Snape demanded, looking indignantly at Harry’s godfather. "She’s the one who is ogling me!"

    "Careful Sev. I have dozens of drawing paper and lead pencils in this room," Fenix said in a dangerous tone. "And then I could send them over to Professor Vector as keepsakes." Sirius snorted at that and Remus’s eyes twinkled mischievously.

    : Are you okay? : Snape asked when Fenix had cooled off a little and gave him a careful hug.

    Fenix sat herself beside Snape while the four males exchanged news as to what had been happening all over the world and Fenix was contented to just sit down and listened to them while she soothed the aches that the Potions Master was experiencing. She let their voices filled her mind, feeling the presences that made the room so alive and chuckled when Snape bellowed a protest when Harry impudently sat down on the bed, narrowly missing Snape’s sprained ankle. He didn’t realize he had twisted it during the brief scuffle after his meeting with the other Potions Masters. Her pain regarding Aldren gradually lessened as minutes passed. Several hours later, Draco joined them for dinner, having left his father in the care of Cadriel. Two hours later in that same bedroom, Sirius had grudgingly helped Draco balance the Potions Master as every bit of furniture (including Fenix’s bed) was sent off to other parts of the house. Harry then conjured up a huge mattress into the room, along with several pillows and bolsters.

    For safety reasons, Fenix had arranged a soft but a reliable bolster beside Snape, so that he wouldn’t hit his nose against the hard stone wall should he attempt to roll over in his sleep. She was lying down beside Snape because she did not trust Sirius all that much to sleep beside the Potions Master. Especially since she had accidentally heard him discussing with his godson about mummifying Snape’s face.

    An hour later, the house was quiet and most lights were out except the kitchen and the living room, and the small mage light that was left in the room where Lucius slept under the watchful gaze of Cadriel. Fenix slept easily, her fingers resting lightly on Snape’s left forearm while Remus had unconsciously treated her like a very comfortable bolster. Sirius slept on his side, with an empty space beside him since Harry knew that his godfather would roll about, sooner or later. Harry was the last one to fall asleep, since he wanted to watch over his oathbrother. The Slytherin was acting quite vulnerable, so torn with indecisions and worries. Harry had stopped all of that by saying simply that all of them would be there for him if he ever needed them. The two finally surrendered themselves to sleep.

**********

    It was midmorning and Lucius was awake although he was weak. Draco still held onto his father’s hand and Lucius seemed to be oddly comforted by that small gesture. Harry was looking out the window and he felt a little queasy being in the same room. Obviously, he felt like an intruder, clearly feeling that the Malfoys should be left alone but Draco had pleaded him to stay and Lucius did not demand that Harry should leave.

    "I can’t hold on for much longer," Lucius whispered and Draco tightened his grip on his father’s hand. "Give me your right hand, Draco," he commanded and Draco complied, automatically releasing his father’s hand and opened his right palm. Lucius brought up his left hand and dropped something onto Draco’s palm. Lucius breathed heavily as he withdrew his hand, trying hard not to succumb to sleep. He did not want to go. At least until he had said everything he had to say.

    Draco was looking down at his palm, feeling his father’s magic spreading throughout his body. A signet ring. His father’s own signet ring. Draco felt a little confused by that.

    Lucius interpreted his son’s bewildered look accurately. "It’s up to you if you wish to carry on with my name. You’re more than equipped to handle the estate even by yourself. Just because I am a Death-Eater doesn’t mean that I had gained everything illegally. I did work when I was younger if you must know." His lips quirked up into a smile when Draco blushed. "Behind your life-sized portrait is a safe that only you can open. It’s not totally dependent on the ring. Can’t have your mother swindle up your proper inheritance, can I? Oh... I know she must have forged that, that’s the reason why I had another set of locks." Lucius paused, trying to clear his blurring eye. No... just a bit more... time...

    Harry had stopped staring at the landscape and had approached the bed slowly, finally stopping at a comfortable distance and began to slowly soothe the pain that Lucius was experiencing. Draco’s father spoke again, in a much stronger baritone.

    "Did you remember the time when you had Transfigured the feathers of a mynah?" Lucius asked and smiled when Draco nodded, though a little hesitantly. "Do you remember what I had said to you when the bird flew away?" Draco shook his head in a negative response. Lucius smiled faintly at his son. "If I remember rightly, I think it was this: This is what I had wanted to show you. You might be too young to understand it but you will someday. There are just some things that you truly have to let go, for the better." Lucius’s smile brightened although Harry noticed that his eye was slightly unfocused. "You should tell your godfather that."

    : Drake, : Harry whispered in his oathbrother’s mind.

    : I know, : Draco answered as he stood up and was now sitting on the bed and Harry aided both of them so that Draco was able to hold his father in his arms. Draco tried to breathe evenly but the knowledge that his father was about to die was frightening him beyond imagination. "Father," Draco whispered in his father’s ear. "I love you."

    Lucius looked up, willing his eye to focus again on his son’s face. "I am proud of you, Draco," he said simply that he abruptly addressed Harry in a smooth voice. "Mr. Potter, look after this brat of mine should Severus manages to blunder in the future."

    "Yes, I will," Harry responded in a soft voice.

    Lucius intertwined his fingers with Draco’s left hand and placed it on his heart. "I had never regretted the day ever since you came into being Draco. I can’t remember if I had been deliriously happy before you were born. But I wished that you had siblings. If you had a sister, she’ll be beautiful, considering how striking you are now. But maybe it’s good that I don’t have a daughter. I probably will have kittens when she starts growing into a teenager," Lucius’s smile turned dreamy and he gave up in trying to force his vision to clear. "I love you, young dragon," Lucius murmured, smiling as he closed his eye.

    "I love you, Father. Love you," Draco whispered hoarsely, as he struggled not to keen. He continued to watch his father’s face. The wizard looked younger and peaceful, something Draco hadn’t seen for a very long time. Draco felt the beatings of the heart beneath his fingers gradually weakened. It seemed that it had taken forever for his father to finally leave the world and yet it had been too soon. Draco did not stop the tears from flowing from his eyes, falling on top of his father’s silvery-blond hair. Harry watched, saddened both by the man’s passing but more of his oathbrother’s sadness and he left the room to inform Snape and Fenix. Draco continued to hold onto his father, still repeating the three words in a voice below a whisper, while his mind sought to remember Lucius’s voice forever.

**********

~ Epilogue ~

Friday, 12^th July. In the kitchen of the Maxwells.

It was morning and the kitchen was alive with the sounds of cooking and conversation. Now and then, Sirius’s loud laughter bounced off the walls of the kitchen.

    "Green-Eyes, if you don’t lower that heat, what you’re cooking will go down the trash bag," Draco said in a light-hearted tone.

    "Keep your eyes on your own pan, Drake," Harry snorted as he swiftly divided the huge amount of scrambled egg onto the plates that were on the dining table. "This would still be edible even if they’re overcooked. It is your pancake that is in trouble," Harry said in a smug tone, and he moved on to make some fruit juice. Since Fenix was rather adamant about not using magic for simple household chores, Harry had to peel the mangoes and cut them in Muggle fashion. As he placed the sliced mango flesh into the blender, he added in a delighted tone. "Maybe you should have placed a bit more butter in there."

    Draco stared at him for a moment but his calmness quickly evaporated as he flipped the pancake over. It was burning. "– Bloody hell..." Draco stopped muttering and shot an angry look at Sirius who was chortling softly. The Black was sitting quite calmly on a chair as he flipped the pages of The Scotsman.

    "Draco, you should learn to control that wagging tongue of yours," Snape said in a mild tone as he sipped on his hot chocolate. "I’m not even sure that a man could engage in that on his own," he remarked, trying to put on a stern expression. The Potions Master nearly succeeded if his face hadn’t been marred by the slight tinge of red on his cheeks.

    "Oh, it’s possible all right," Sirius said lightly. "You just got to be flexible but I doubt you could do that with your aging bones."

    Snape was contemplating about a Vanishing charm that would allow him to place the hot portion of scrambled egg inside Sirius’s pants when Fenix came in with Spencer in her arms. Her eyes were boring suspiciously into his black eyes. Sirius smirked when the Potions Master gave a visible wince. Of course that only made Snape looked guiltier. Snape’s expression changed quickly into a menacing scowl at Sirius and it so happened that Spencer was examining the Potions Master. The baby whimpered and struggled so that Fenix had to take several steps back. Fenix braced herself and waited until the baby stopped struggling then as quick as a lightning strike, she had Snape holding the baby.

    "Fenix!" Several male voices exclaimed at once.

    Fenix helped herself to the prepared mango juice. Slowly pouring some into her own cup, she watched Snape carefully. She then took several steps forward and Snape looked up at her with a pleading expression evident in his coal-black eyes. Spencer on the other hand, looked just about ready to burst into tears.

    "Lover..." Remus was standing by the kitchen door, looking at Snape holding the baby with mild amusement. "You’re scaring Spens," he said with a little smile hovering on his lips.

    Fenix placed her glass of juice on top of the table before kneeling down and placed one hand to calm the baby. Smiling, she spoke softly but clearly, "Formal introduction, Spens. This is Severus Snape but I call him Sev. He is Drake’s godfather, so you get to call him Uncle Sev."

    Spencer stared uncertainly at the aquiline face and then looked at the menacing face behind him. Snape was looking terrified too, although his reason was different. "Fenix, please take him back. My hands are a trifle unsteady to hold him safely," the Potions Master said in a small voice. Harry tried to stifle a smile. It wasn’t every day you get to see a greasy-haired sour-tempered bat, holding a baby carefully in his arms.

    "You hold the baby like this," Fenix said as she helped to adjust the baby’s position and carefully rearranged Snape’s hands. The baby seemed less terrified as he faced the Potions Master. Baby Spencer immediately relaxed as the silver embroidery on Snape’s cloak caught his attention. Satisfied, Fenix stood up and kissed both baby and wizard.

    "Are you four ready to face the sharks?" Remus asked the crowd, although his question was mainly for the godfathers and their respective godsons. "Are you sure you can Apparate without mishaps?" the werewolf asked as he sat down beside Fenix.

    "You worry too much, Moony," Sirius said in between bites of pancakes.

    "Spens!" Derian called out from the stairs and the baby began bouncing up and down on Snape’s thigh. The Potions Master winced when Spencer gripped Snape’s shoulder a bit too tightly for comfort. Derian poked his head into the kitchen and Spencer crowed happily when his father came to view. The elf carefully picked his son up into his arms. The elf looked strangely weary to Fenix, but then so were they.

    Fenix felt a pang of sadness as she looked around the kitchen when she thought she felt Aldren’s hair brushing across her face. She kept reminding herself that he was no longer around and tried to even her breathing. Derian saw the dilemma she was in and went round to give her a quick hug and then withdrew so that she could get on with breakfast.

    Fenix flashed him a smile before she broke the uneasy silence that had filled the kitchen. "Remus and I would be doing some shopping after breakfast. Any preferences of what you want to have for dinner?" she asked them, her eyes resting on Draco’s exhausted face.

    : Drake? : She managed to convey a lot of questions with just that one word.

    : It’s nothing. Just that those men who want to land me into bankruptcy are making me more than just nervous, : Draco answered and Snape made a small sound of disgust. Fenix nodded sympathetically and was distracted by a loud crack that they all had been expecting. Harry and Draco quickly finished off their breakfast and sure enough, Bill swept into the kitchen.

    Fenix looked archly at him and Bill just waved his hand flippantly. "Just dressing up for the occasion," the Weasley said lightly.

    "How did Ron fare?" Harry asked in an anxious tone and it quickly transited into alarm when Bill gave a grimace. "He’s all right, isn’t he?" Harry nearly squeaked.

    "Yes he is. But I have to tell you that it was a big disaster. Scared the hell out of Mom. Thank god for the Aurors and the medics," Bill answered, still grimacing. "Hermione passed the test though."

    "Are you sure you don’t want me to send you guys there? Wiltshire is almost like the opposite end from my house," Fenix said in a worried tone and Sirius laughed outrightly.

    : You’re acting more and more like my cousin, oathsib, : his mindvoice was amused and she shot a dirty look at him.

    "Hmph. Well, what do you want? Chicken, fish, squid?"

    "Chicken wings, spaghetti and scones," Draco said easily, wiping his mouth briskly with a napkin.

    "You look impressive, if you don’t mind me saying so," Bill said, his voice thick with approval as he gave the Slytherin the once-over.

    Draco gave a crooked smile. "Why! Thank you Bill!" the Slytherin smirked and Fenix relaxed a little. It seems to her that everyone was slowly acting normally but she had to wonder if she would ever reach that state. Draco was still talking, his voice pitched low and her eyes slightly widened when the boy spoke in a slow, sensual voice. "Coming from the master of fashion that is high praise indeed."

    "It’s my pleasure to do so Draco," Bill mimicked the Slytherin’s voice as he gave a mock bow.

    "Drake, remember Alamanda," Fenix said in a strangled voice.

    "Alamanda who?" Draco stood up, his long legs taking him to Bill’s side in a few seconds. He eyed the Weasley suggestively while Bill managed to maintain his look of unruffled calm.

    Fenix opened her mouth several times but failed to come up with anything. The Potions Master looked at her wide-eyed expression and he chuckled. "Lighten up, fiery one. He’s just teasing you," he said softly, the corners of his crinkling with mirth. Fenix however maintained her doubtful expression.

    Draco’s laughter suddenly spilled out. "Fenix!" he gasped. "I’m not going to make the same mistake twice! One oathbrother is more than enough!" Draco clutched his sides then pouted charmingly.

    "Drake..." Fenix said in an almost whining voice but she soon chuckled with the boy.

    "Well, the sooner we get going, the sooner we can wrap things up," Snape finally said, straightening his robes. Sirius and Harry followed suit, giving Fenix a quick hug.

    : Keep your wits about you. Death Eaters are still on the loose, : Fenix cautioned the group.

    : We’ll see you later, sister, : Sirius said gently and flashed her a smile.

    Fenix watched the group disappear with loud cracks accompanying them simultaneously. Spencer was oblivious to the noise as he had fallen asleep in his father’s arms. She stared at Remus, suddenly feeling shy. Derian watched them quizzically.

    "So... shall we go four by four or shall we take a walk to go shopping?" Fenix asked the werewolf softly.

    "I’ll go for the second choice," Remus said and she smiled warmly at him.

**********

    Draco was sitting in the library, watching the group of people that had gathered while Bill scanned the will, and the documents of Draco’s inheritance. Looting had occurred in the mansion. Somehow the house had lost their protections when Lucius died and since there were no house-elves, well no one could resist the temptation of stealing from a wealthy wizard. Some of them were rather unfortunate that they had chosen to linger around in the mansion when the five appeared suddenly. Things were quite hectic then.

    Nevertheless, the group made it without any sort of damage and half an hour later, Draco’s relatives that had been informed of the meeting arrived. Some were rather outraged when they saw Draco wearing the signet and both Snape and Sirius had to hex them to keep things at a peaceful state.

    A grumpy looking wizard stared at the boy’s relatives with open hostility. "That’s it ladies and gentlemen. Lord Malfoy is certainly trained to take care of Lucius’s properties..." he stopped when Draco looked at him without blinking.

    "I wish to keep you in employment, to continue managing my properties while I study," the Slytherin said softly and Mr. Henrick looked absolutely pleased by that request.

    "Certainly, my lord," the man beamed at him, ignoring the vile oaths that had erupted in the background. When Draco remained silent, Henrick continued. "Now, my lord. Your father owned some stuff that I am sure are somewhat fascinating, but I am not quite sure if you should still keep them," Henrick informed him, pausing to scowl at the door. Screams that belonged to a woman echoed loudly in the corridor.

    Draco’s eyes had narrowed dangerously and he stood, then walked slowly over to Harry. His oathbrother looked at him in puzzlement then stared back at the opened door.

    Snape steeled himself and Harry was not surprised to see Narcissa struggling strongly against a grim-looking Tonks and Wenda. Narcissa was strangely filthy and unkempt. Snape had backed off, standing close to the opened window. Harry did not blame the man, since he knew that Snape does have a keen sense of smell.

    "Angelus!" Narcissa screamed. "He is not a Malfoy! We disowned him!"

    Mr. Henrick looked at her in bafflement. "Yes, I know that," the man said slowly.

    "Then you couldn’t hand the property over to the brat!" she spat the last word out and Harry fully sympathized with his oathbrother. Narcissa had moved forward and was now standing before Draco, staring at him menacingly. At that, the relatives renewed their protests at Draco’s large share. Mr. Henrick waited until a lull occurred naturally.

    "You seem to have misunderstood the circumstances, Narcissa," Henrick spoke in a calm voice, but his eyes were hard and seemed to challenge every soul that stared back into them.

    Bill stepped in, looking very severe in his splendid black dark blue robes. "The late Malfoy did say in an authentic will that all properties are to be given to Draco, the son that he had fathered. He also specified that Draco, currently under the care of Mr. Snape, is entitled to the wealth that was hard-earned. He did not say that Draco needs to be a legal son to claim the property."

    Tonks gave an evil smirk at the dumbfounded looks on Narcissa and the other vultures. Mr. Henrick took the spot again, absently flipping over some documents.

    "Ah... Here it is. Mr. Lucius Malfoy did spare some for you. But I’m afraid that they’re for you to spend while you’re in prison or when you’re exiled to Russia."

    "So it is done,’ Bill said before he stared gravely at the Slytherin. "Do you have any further instructions?"

    "Yes. This house... You can do whatever you want with it. I doubt that I’ll be coming to live here. But I want the wine bottles that are still safe and the books here. The portraits of my father’s and my own," Draco said, then he nodded to himself.

    The back of Harry’s neck prickled and he hastily built a shield over the Aurors just as two ‘relatives’ let loose the Unforgivable Curses.

    "On no! You don’t!" Tonks growled, then shouted at the top of her lungs. The two wizards fell to the floor, evidently stoned while Wenda worked proficiently to bind the wizards.

    Sirius and Snape slowly drew out their wands again while Henrick looked a little shaken. Both the godfathers exchanged a speculative glance.

    : If I had known that this might lead to an assassination attempt," Snape remarked to his godson, though he did not exclude Harry out of the conversation. : I should have exercised all my wile to talk you out of accepting this duty. :

    : And here I was thinking that next year in Hogwarts might be a little less adventurous, : Harry muttered, and Draco’s amusement traveled down through their oathbond.

**********

    Fenix hummed as she fried the marinated chicken wings while Snape helped in the preparation of spaghetti. Her partner was sitting quietly in the corner, babysitting Spencer. The baby was snuggling against the werewolf and Fenix felt slightly envious of the baby. She gave herself a mental slap and was unaware that she had muttered her thought aloud when Snape fell back onto a stool and laughed. She stared at the Potions Master in confusion but it cleared when she saw her partner staring at her intently.

    Without realizing it, she had licked her lips in a fairly seductive manner then blushed when her partner began to describe of the plans he had for them that night. Snape also blushed and he struggled to breathe but it was amazingly hard to do so as he was overwhelmed by another bout of laughter.

    After what had seemed like hours to Fenix, Snape finally managed to stop laughing and commented in a hoarse voice to Remus. "I didn’t know that you–" Snape coughed. "That you can be so–" he coughed again. "Adventurous."

    "Sev!" Fenix dropped the thongs that she used to cook to the floor in shock. She cursed when her precious clean floor was stained with oil and marinated chicken. "You mean– You didn’t!"

    Snape was laughing harder now. "It’s not my fault!" he managed to growl.

    "But I thought I kept that conversation private!" Remus wailed, feeling extremely embarrassed.

**********

    Harry and Draco sat side by side, backs supported by the Mnid. They were silent but they needed no words to know what the other was thinking. The Boy Who Lived was relieved, now that the Dark Lord had fallen to the annals of forever history. Though he knew that there would be others who wanted to cause more trouble in the wizarding world to fill up the empty slot. At least Harry now had the time to breathe and to reflect.

    Draco meanwhile stared blankly at the tombstone seven feet away from him. Smooth white marble, with the emblem of a dragon curled around his father’s name. With his oathbrother’s help, Draco had created it. Well, carved it. Suddenly, he heard his father’s voice filled the silence of his mind but Draco did not push it away. He listened in contentment. He still hadn’t told Snape about what his father had said in the morning he died.

    : You all right Drake? : Harry asked, smelling the scent of summer around them. The sunlight that had poked through the trees made the grove look strangely ethereal and magical. Suddenly overwhelmed with mischief, he pulled Draco up and made his oathbrother stand in the path of a ray of hazy, golden sun.

    : Green-Eyes! : Draco protested weakly, wondering what the green-eyed fellow was up to.

    : Don’t be stubborn! Open yourself up and feel the magic! : Harry said with slight impatience.

    "What?" Draco asked in confusion.

    "Just do it!" Harry urged him.

    Ten minutes had passed and the ache that had been buried deeply in Draco’s heart was slowly dispelled by the sudden feeling of rightness of the place. He let out an involuntary gasp and opened his eyes. Harry was grinning widely.

    "Feels great, right?" Harry asked lightly, then he closed his eyes and spread his arms open.

    "That’s an understatement, Green-Eyes," Draco whispered. He followed his oathbrother’s example. "Great Bel. This place feels old," his voice was hushed, and was filled with a great sense of wonder.

    "And if we are to find a place to build a school, I suggest we find some place like this," Harry agreed.

    The Mnid watched the two young sorcerers with great pride. The light around them was dimming steadily but the two young men glowed. Although it noticed that the wizard with pale hair was exhausted, no doubt from having sleepless nights and grieving, the Mnid was glad that the earth magic of the place was slowly helping the boy as did his oathbrother. The Mnid breathed, smiling gently as Draco murmured his thanks to his oathbrother and stopped long enough to place one small kiss on top of the gravestone. The two young men began walking toward the direction of the Fire Master’s home. Summer. From a season that seemed to cause apprehension and great mood swings (at least for Harry) was becoming a season of healing. The Mnid smiled again as it saw the Future opening up and rumbled. Things might calm down a bit for the company, but usually, things don’t always go according to plans. The Mnid saw friendly chaos erupting all around, most of them instigated by the company that had brought Slytherins down to acknowledge love.

**********

    Fenix clutched at the edge of the table, feeling a little weird. She had been alone in the kitchen but then Harry and Draco returned. The boys quickly rushed to her side but she waved them off.

    "Drake, can you take care of the rest of the cooking?" she asked, somehow managing to keep her voice even.

    "Are you sure you’re all right?" Harry asked sternly and she nodded.

    Fifteen minutes later, Fenix was staring at the kit with disbelief. It turned red! Strange happiness bubbled inside her. Wait, don’t get excited. You better confirm it with the Elementals. The bathroom pulsed with magical energy and there was suddenly a swarm of Elementals closeted with her. Most of them turned out to be the Nymphs. They began singing and Fenix stared, suppressing the sudden need to jump up with joy.

    The Potions Master was looking for the Fire Master. He was surprised and became more than just curious when he heard singing coming from her bedroom. Strange, breathy voices filled the bedroom. The bathroom opened and a glowing Fire Master emerged. Snape’s eyes quickly fell onto the strip she was holding in her hand. Snape froze, and his brain stopped thinking. It was minutes before one thought floated in his mind. Merlin! She can’t be!

    "Can you do me a favor?" Fenix breathed, knowing by the nuances of his face that he knew. Fenix did not wait for him to answer. "Would you hold on to Sirius while I inform Remus? I don’t really mindspeech to keep it private so I’ll do it directly." Snape managed to give her a dumb nod and followed her out, going back to the kitchen in a slight daze.

    Later that night, the house was suddenly filled with exclamations and Fenix’s happy giggle was heard. Exactly ten seconds later, the classical rich baritone belonging to a Black roared out.

    More expletives followed and Fenix’s laughter filled the background.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fenix Maxwell, Fire Master available in Scotland, oathsister to Sirius Black, best friend to Severus Snape, fiancee of Remus Lupin and co-guardian of The Oathbrothers, was scowling fiercely at her best friend.

Fenix: Sev, you are the one with the complaints. I’ll bring her here and you talk. Take it or leave it.

Snape: All right. The Potions Master growled, shoulders slumping with defeat.

Remus: Keep a lid on it. You know that no matter how much you argue with her, sooner or later you would be the one to give in. The werewolf gave the Potions Master a half-smile. Snape in return, snarled at the werewolf and flopped onto the sofa. He scowled darkly at Sirius who was trying to hide his amusement.

Snape: Something funny? The Potions Master snapped at Harry’s godfather.

Sirius: It’s nothing.

Fenix: Hey, I’m about to bring her.

Remus: Bring it on!

Firesword: Bloody hell! The author of ‘Purpose’ stared at the woman of her imagination with incredulity.

Harry: Seems like this is really her favorite. No wonder it came up frequently in our dialogue.

Draco: Fenix, is this whom I think she is?

Fenix: I think so.

Sirius: Hurry on Snivellus. She looks pretty much like a kid, her parents might start wondering where she is.

Draco: You call her a kid? Draco was staring at Harry’s godfather with amusement and the look that the Slytherin kid gave the author was slightly intimidating.

Harry: Ignore Drake. Harry was looking at the author with a kind expression. Firesword was still looking a little stunned. Please, take a seat. But Firesword did not move. She did not even blink her eyes.

Snape: Perhaps I should give my wand a wave and say ‘Ennervate’.

Firesword: Don’t you dare! That seemed to snap the author out of her thoughts and she slowly took an empty seat which coincidentally was positioned across the Potions Master.

Sirius: We’ll make sure that Snivellus do it fast so don’t worry! Sirius looked at Firesword with a mischievous smile that was extremely capable of pulling her into the throes of infatuation. But it seemed like the author was immune to him.

Firesword: Well? Firesword stared at Snape intently.

Snape: I have certain questions that I would like to wrench from you. At the word ‘wrench’ Firesword quirked up an eyebrow. She stayed silent. Snape did not speak and Firesword made a sound of aggravation at the back of her throat.

Firesword: I’m waiting... Though she had a look that seemed to be signifying ‘nitwit’, to Draco at least.

Snape: Why did you have to make me so....

Firesword: Out of character? Firesword gave a faint smile, at a man who is like perhaps twenty years older than she. Simply because I don’t have the heart to write you as an infuriating, greasy-haired, ill-tempered Potions Master.

Snape: Perhaps you have not done enough research about my personality?

Firesword: Probably... She did not seem to be slightly disturbed by that observation. The air suddenly intensified and Firesword found herself being crushed painfully by an incredibly strong Dark Lord.

Voldemort: You should have made me victorious! Everyone should be sick of how lucky that boy is!

Firesword: Voldemort, I swear if you do not remove your hands from my butt in five seconds I’m going to rewrite about how your innocent victims cornered you. The Dark Lord seemed not to care but fortunately Death came to the rescue and pulled him back toward the abyss. Firesword’s eyes were watering and Snape moved to help her up. I hate guys who touched my butt. Only my boyfriend has that right of course. Thank you. Snape did not move, he just continued to look down at Firesword. The author bristled. I know I’m short so don’t be insulting. Snape gave her a crooked grin.

Snape: As mushy as you had made me, I like the change. So, my next question will be: are you going to write more about this ‘company’?

Firesword: Yes. I hope so. But I have an idea running around inside my head and I felt like writing about this idea first.

Harry: Really? Does it have anything to do with uhmmm... ‘Purpose’?

Firesword: No... Not really. It will be another post-OOTP fic, but scenes differ.

Draco: Spoilers?

Firesword: I feel like keeping it a secret... for now at least.

Fenix: Is that all, Sev? The Fire Master gave a demanding look at Snape.

Snape: He nods but raised a hand to stop Fenix from taking action. He moved closer to Firesword again and kissed her lightly on the cheek. The author blushed and mumbled something about a boyfriend. He leans in to whisper, too lowly for the others to hear. I know you’re infatuated with me.

Firesword: Is it that obvious? Firesword murmured to Snape and motioned to Fenix to do her stuff. A few seconds later, the author was off the scene.

Sirius: Snivellus, I do not bloody damn well understand what you were trying to do back there.

Snape: I didn’t expect you to Black! The Potions Master retorted but Remus felt slightly uneasy by the mischievous glint in Snape’s coal-black eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~
© Firesword 2003/2004